Chapter Four: One Stormy Night Serena drowsily fluttered her large blue eyes, and snuggled deeper in to the large warm body stretched out beside her. Darien wrapped his arms tightly around her, and as she shifted to get closer, a cool breeze blew across her cheek, lifting little strands of her long blond hair in to the wind. Cool breeze? Serena abruptly sat up, her back stiff and cracking from lying on the steps all afternoon. She could feel the heat of a deep sunburn across her nose and forehead, her skin felt tight and plastic all over. In the dim light she could see that Darien had fared no better, the entire left side of his face was bright crimson red. "Darien," she frantically whispered, "honey, wake up!" "Huh, wha..?" he slurred, his eyes drifting open and closed against the small glow of the remaining sunlight. "Darien!" Serena hissed, "We slept through the entire day! No one woke us up, not even Luna!" He came slowly to, his blurry eyes clearing as the situation clarified in his mind. "No one woke us? Where are they all?" "I don't know," Serena whined, a bit of her childishness returning. Her face was burning, all she wanted was a cool drink and a icy shower; but instead she was stiff and sore from zonking out on Raye's temple steps, and Darien wasn't even considering the fact that they had just been abandoned by their friends to the heat of the summer day. "That was really selfish of them to not come get us up," she grumbled crankily, "I thought at least one of the Knights would have woken us up when they went inside." "Did they go inside? Are they inside?" Darien wondered aloud. Serena looked up, consideration lightening in her eyes. "You know," she mused, "I don't know. Maybe they didn't. But that would mean..." She and Darien looked at each other, their eyes simultaneously widening with fear. "Guys!" they yelled at the top of their lungs. Serena put all of her lung power in to it, "HEY GUYS!!!" Darien shook his head; "You go inside, I'll check on the Knights up front!" "Okay!" Serena agreed, and raced up the stairs, tripping on the top one and sprawling clumsily on the hard wooden floor. "Oomph!" "And Serena," Darien poked his head around the corner, "be careful meatball-head, okay? There could be anything inside!" * * * * * * * * * * * "Oh, my head," Auriel groaned and rolled over, her warm stomach striking the icy tiles with a chill slap. "OH! THAT'S COLD!" Auriel leapt up from the floor, and dashed in to the warmth of her dusky bedroom. She wrapped the towel tighter around her torso, glancing about, she realized that something in her room was different. She couldn't place it, but something told her that a great deal of time had passed since she began her shower. The shadows in her room were wrong somehow, almost like they were too long, too dark. How long was I asleep? Why didn't Mom come get me up for chores or something? She dressed quickly, in jeans and a T-shirt, skipped down the stairs two at a time, skidding in the kitchen expecting to see her mother flipping pancakes or stirring a pot of bubbling spaghetti for lunch, or maybe Jacob lounging at the table, skimming the paper before rushing off to work. Instead, there was a note on the refrigerator, written in her mother's curvy sprawling hand. Auri, Hon, I hope your long weekend is great! Don't forget to do your homework, young lady, or I'll have to do something drastic. Just kidding Hon, just remember to water the plants, and look after the petunias. Don't let Stoner in the house, or he'll use Jacob's slippers as a cat-box again! Jacob will have a fit if that happens, and you'll have to give him away! If you need us, we'll be at the Ritz-Sheridan in New York, New York. I left the number on the list of important numbers by the phone. Our plane leaves at two or two-thirty this afternoon, but we decided to leave at one to beat traffic. I wish you'd kissed us goodbye before you ran out this morning though. You were gone before we even got up! Reminder, you have Monday off too dear. It's not like I think you'd forget, but just in case you did, here's the reminder you asked for. The convention lasts until Thursday, so we won't be back until next Sunday. We're going to take a few extra days to sightsee. Finally, here's the mandatory stuff. NO PARTYS! NO DRINKING, or ANYTHING illegal. We trust you Hon, make us proud. Love Mom. "Shit!" Auriel yelled, crumpling the letter and throwing it across the kitchen. She had completely forgotten that her parents were going to the States for an international architect convention. How in the world could she have forgotten something as important as that? "Goddess, I feel so stupid!" she mumbled to the empty kitchen. There were no sounds except the empty, hollow sound her lonely voice made in the echoing house. Her stomach broke the silence, grumbling low in her belly. She glanced at the pantry, wrinkled her nose at the ten-pound bag of rice, and turned to the microwave to see if there was any fresh fruit left. The clock changed time, and as she watched the numbers move, her heart slowed painfully in her chest. The orange she had selected thudded to the floor, as she touched the green digital numbers lighting up the microwave. No wonder I felt wrong, I slept all day! It's not sunrise, it's sunset! Seven-thirty, how in the world did I sleep that late? Where did the day go? I can't believe I slept all day. Man, was I dreaming or what? * * * * * * * * * * * "Ami, get up!" Serena shook Ami frantically. The entire house was asleep; Raye curled beside the smoldering embers of a fire in the scrying room, Lita passed out alongside Ami, Luna and Artemis stretched out under Chad's bed, and she could see Darien shaking Ken and Chad awake in the front through Raye's window. Ami moaned softly, and Serena could feel her muscles start to tense as she stirred. Ami's hand strayed upwards, and brushed at the tangled strands of blue-black hair dropping across her sweaty forehead. "Serena," she mumbled, "Ugh, I feel like I've been asleep all day." Serena smiled in relief, the entire house had looked dead when she first entered the back door, cautiously tiptoeing from one room to the next, silently praying that something didn't jump out at her. "Ami, thank God you're awake. I was so worried about you. You have been asleep all day, we let you rest because we thought it was simply heat exhaustion." Ami looked confused, so she continued on, "You passed out, remember?" "No," Ami shook her head; "I don't really remember much of today except typing in my mini-computer about this voice..." she trailed off. Serena followed her eyes to the window. Ken and Greg were limping around the corner of the house, Adam followed with Mina tucked neatly in his arms. "Greg," Ami whispered, stricken. Her face was white, too white, and her eyes were round and huge as saucers. "Greg...He's here?" she looked at Serena for confirmation, who nodded, mildly confused, as she softly shook Lita awake. Ami threw off the covers, and stumbled to the doorway of Raye's bedroom. Once there, she grabbed the wall and guided her way down the long hallway as quickly as she could. Greg! He's here, he's here, he heard me and came, he came for me! I missed him so much, prayed he would just show up one day, and now he's here! Greg looked up as the back door to the temple was flung wide open and Ami rushed out the door, hurtling down the steps, and hurling herself in to his arms. She buried her face in his chest and clung with all her might to him, her small arms locked around his waist with all her strength. He could feel her small body shaking, could sense the fine trembling running along her limbs. "Greg," she whispered desperately, "you're here. You came, you're here." She repeated this several times, her tired voice muffled by his chest, but he heard every emotionally charged word as they dropped from her lips. "Shhh," he soothed, "I'm here Ami, I won't leave you again." He tightened her against him, loving the feel of her slender little body pressed against his, her arms locked around him, her little gasps for air against his chest. "I didn't realize you missed me so much," he lifted her chin with one index finger, bringing her tear streaked face in to the light from the temple. "You should have called me if you needed me, I would have come in an instant." She hiccuped softly, "I didn't realize how much I missed you until I saw you. I know I'm not normally like this, I know I'm always the cool, logical, and collected one. But this time's different! It was like I hadn't seen you in years, rather than months." She shook her head; "I had this strange dream..." He stopped her with his lips. They clung together for a moment, sweet aching warmth spreading to every pore on her body, and then he was gone, drawing away with a look of longing. "Ami," he began, "we really need to talk. I didn't just come to see..." "Ami! Greg!" Darien yelled. "Get inside, there's something out there! Raye can sense it!" Ami started to walk towards him, but her legs once again buckled beneath her. Greg scooped her up, bride-style, and carried her the rest of the way. She snuggled in to his embrace as recovered memories of Zoisite lifting her in the same manner flitted through her mind. * * * * * * * * * * * Ami awoke suddenly as the balcony door to her bedroom creaked open and a dark figure nimbly slipped through. "Who's there?" she called, frightened. "Answer me, or you'll have to answer to Mercury!" Still, no response. She slipped off the bed, stepping lightly towards the door. "Mercury Star..." "Hush, my love, it's merely me," a quiet voice slurred. "Zoi!" Ami hissed as the dark figure stepped in to the shaky light. "What are you doing here? Are you insane? If my father finds you here, we will both be denounced and you will be killed! Get out, go, now!" Zoisite laughed drunkenly, "Not until I have made my point, Princess." He strode forward, pulled her to him tightly, and kissed her. Her breath whooshed out of her lungs and she felt light-headed as his lips danced along hers, evoking a fiery response she hadn't know possible. He tilted her head back, running his fingers through her thick hair, backing her towards the patio. She followed willingly, her mind blank and still for once, concentrating on the feeling his touch was evoking. He broke the passionate kiss, and stroked her cheek tenderly, his dilated eyes sad. "Do you love me?" he desperately choked out. Ami stiffened in his embrace as the sickening smell of whiskey invaded her nose. He had been drinking heavily since the announcement in the ballroom earlier, she could tell. "Zoisite," she began hesitantly. "Ami," he interrupted, "come with me now. Trust me, fall in to me, and I'll carry us away forever." She realized that they were standing by the edge of her balcony, her thin night rail whipping against her legs, flapping violently in the rising wind. His arms were around her, warming her, and as she glanced below, it occurred to her that he had scaled the wall, for there was no ladder anywhere to be seen. "What are you talking about, Zoi?" she exclaimed. "We can't run away! You will be executed for kidnapping a princess!" "Not if they don't find us," he stubbornly insisted. "Think about it Ami, we'll live in another system, or on Earth, hidden away from all the bureaucratic b.s. that comes with being royalty, and the restrictions of being a Guardian. We'll live happily ever after, because we'll have each other. Please Ami, love me back!" She looked at the ground below, then back at Zoisite. Her mind whirred away, a million miles an hour. In the distance, a figure wavered in the light from the moon garden. Sailor Pluto, Celia, was out for a midnight stroll. Watching her weave in and out of the garden paths calmly, slowly, reminded Ami of Auriel, her friend, the Solar Sailor. Aurora and Auriel represented destiny and fate, as much as Pluto represented time. The sun, Auriel's home, was in desperate need of it's princess', yet they remained on Earth's moon to train, to learn to protect their home from future attacks. It had been over six months since Ami had seen her home planet herself. She looked at it, shining in the night sky, and sighed. Her decision made, she leaned forward and kissed him with all the expertise she could muster. Their arms wrapped around each other, and for one brief moment, she was purely Ami, not Sailor Mercury, not Princess Mercury, not royalty. She was solely a girl in the arms of the man she loved. It was simple, honest, pure. Her fingers tasted his face with their tips, tracing his silky hairline tenderly. He buried his hands in her hair as well, furrowing deeper to tilt her head further back to deepen the kiss. Groaning, he swept her in to his arms, carried her back in to the bedroom, sitting her gently on the edge of the high bed. Drawing away, his famished eyes drank her up, her flushed face, sleepy eyes. "Pack, we need to be gone before dawn," he ordered, his voice rough with alcohol. Ami guiltily licked her lips, her eyes downcast and tears slipping down her cheeks. "I can't Zoi." "What?" he exclaimed, his face betraying his confusion. "But we, I mean, you and I...I don't understand." "Zoisite, I love you," sparing a glance at his face, she looked down and took a deep breath. "But we can not get married. We can't run away, we can't be together. My life will never be complete with out you, but my planet depends on me. I am their only hope, I am Sailor Mercury." She raised her eyes, and locked his confused gaze with her own. "I admit it now. Before you, before we became close, the only thing I cared about was studying and my training with the Scouts. Now, you are my life. "Earlier, when we were in the maze, all I could think about was the first time we met, the first time we kissed, all of our firsts together. If it wasn't for you, I would never have climbed trees, or learned to dance. If it weren't for me, you never would have passed your final Guardian exams or tried new experiences other than fighting. "We have always depended on each other, for solace, for everything. I can't imagine a happy life without you. I'm sure Greg is a wonderful person, and one day I may grow to care for him, but you will always be my first love, my only love." She reached out desperately for him as Zoisite slowly backed away. "Zoi, please don't go now! Wait! Please try to understand, no matter who I end up with that I love you still!" He shook his head in denial, continuing to slowly back away from her, "No, Princess, you're decision is made. You believe you love me, but I can see the change in your eyes." He ran one hand through his hair, dislodging the band around it, "Your soul mate is once more with you, after years of being separated, and your boy toy general is getting tossed in the trash like so much refuse. I can't believe I was such a fool, but what did I expect?" He shook his head, freed hair swaying down his back. Ami took two steps forward, but he stopped her with a quick, violent gesture. Bitterly, "No thank you, Princess, I can show myself out." He stepped to the edge of the balcony, jumped on the railing, and with one last hateful look, lightly dropped from sight. "Zoi," Ami whispered brokenly, "come back." Dropping to the floor, she curled in to a ball, sobbing huge heart-wrenching sobs that shook her slender frame violently. The wind picked up, and in the distance, a low mournful wail rose out of the darkness, mimicking the one screaming in her heart. * * * * * * * * * * * Ami felt her feet brush the ground as Greg laid her gently on the pallet spread out by Raye's bed. He sat down beside her, and took her hand, interlocking their fingers tightly. Ami paused to admire his profile momentarily before turning her attention to the group of people crowded in Raye's bedroom. Chad and Raye leaned against her headboard, holding hands, his thumb tracing smooth circles on her tiny wrist. Adam sat at Raye's desk, his feet casually balanced on the edge of her desk, idly playing with one of her many candles, running his fingers through the flame over and over again, growing nearer to the flame each time. Mina lay curled at the foot of the bed, still drowsy, and her long golden hair, unburdened by her customary red ribbon, spilled over the edge in a waterfall of silken tresses. Serena and Darien, both terribly sunburnt, were splitting a bottle of liquid aloe. Darien was softly dabbing the gooey substance on Serena's forehead, whereas she settled for tenderly smearing it along his high cheekbones and wincing each time he sucked in a painful breath. Lita was resting in Ken's lap, her back to his chest, both of their legs sticking out in front of them, his arms tenderly wrapped around her waist, her head laid back on his shoulder, sleek brown ponytail covering his arm to the elbow. Luna and Artemis perched on the desk beside Adam, looking at him intently, occasionally sending each other meaningful glances. "Well," Ami began brightly, after glancing curiously at Ken and Lita; "I have some news I think." "So do I," Adam broke in, "I don't mean to interrupt, but I think that I better confess to something before you begin." The Scouts and Knights all exchanged wary glances, then Darien spoke up, "Go on." Adam swallowed, and put the candle down. He turned in his chair, facing the room and said, "Mina, I heard your cat talk." "Huh? What are you talking about?!" Mina sat up suddenly, setting Raye and Chad off balance. He toppled off the bed and on to Greg, who grunted and rolled with the weight of Mars Knight on him. The both tumbled in to the desk, knocking it, and upsetting Luna and Artemis' balance as well. "Yeowww!" Luna screeched as she flew off the desk, landing on Lita and Ken's heads, paws outstretched to regain her balance. It took a few moments for the pandemonium to die down, and everyone to re-situate themselves before Adam spoke again. "I mean," he smiled, "that I heard you," he pointed to Artemis, "speaking to her," directed at Luna, "five minutes ago in the hallway." He grinned, "I always thought that the talking cats in my dreams were a little strange, but now they make sense." "Your dreams?" Ami ventured. Adam nodded. "The first one came about six months ago. I was there, in the ballroom, with all of you the night of the Engagement Ball. I remember my first sight of Mina in nine years. She was staring at me during the announcement, her hair flowing around her like benediction, and I knew right then that she was my destiny." Mina looked up, her exhausted eyes confused, "Destiny?" He nodded, "I remember training with the other Knights. I remember throwing orange roses, practicing fencing in the garden with Tux over there, learning to dance on my eighth birthday in your arms. You were so young, I knew you wouldn't remember me, but I remembered you, and most of the other Scouts as children." "We, I mean the Knights, all did," Greg broke in. "I remember holding Ami's picture in the Andorra galaxy every night before I went to sleep, hoping I'd dream of her." Ami gasped and looked at him, her eyes filled with questions. Greg tightened his grip on her hand. "When I met Adam again, something clicked inside my head, and my memories flooded back. I don't know why meeting the Scouts didn't do it, but meeting Adam did. I suppose it has something to do with the Knights being connected, just as the Scouts are. I had only met Darien once, and only seen Chad from a distance, so I was never exposed to another Knight for more than a few minutes until that computer class. I knew when I signed up for it that something significant was going to happen during the class, but my powers wouldn't tell me what. "Then when we met, we both suspected, though I had the actual current knowledge of the Scouts to back up all the Knight memories roaming through my head, and Adam only had gut instinct to go on. So, I brought him here, hoping that Darien and Ken and Chad would trigger something in his head also. "But I knew I had to come back as soon as possible anyway. I remembered so many things, but the first thing I remembered was being Mercury Knight, which meant that I had a fate, and was destined ...my destiny was you, Ami." * * * * * * * * * * * "Ami," Serena's voice cut through her meandering, and Ami gazed up, her mind spiraling with millions of emotions and thoughts at once. "Yes Princess?" Serena settled beside her on the grass, artfully arranging her long silvery dress along her long legs. The elm shade was cool and delicate against their skin, painting their faces in dancing, shifting shadows. "How are you Princess?" Ami asked quietly, her mind elsewhere. Serena, rather than answering the question, grasped Ami's hands loosely in her own, and looked deeply in to Mercury's eyes, "Ami, are you happy?" Ami sighed gently, thinking of Zoi, then Greg. "Serena, I'm as happy as I can be right now. At least now I have some measure of peace in my head if not my heart." Serena smoothed a bit of hair out Ami's eyes, urging her to continue, "I don't understand, what happened to change your mind so quickly? I mean the other night, last night, at the ball you were..." She trailed off. Looking down, Ami tried to explain. "Zoisite came to my room last night and tried to spirit me away. I wanted to go with him so badly it hurt inside, but rather than anger Auriel and the fates by playing with destiny, I chose the good of my kingdom over the good of my heart." "A very wise choice," a voice intruded softly. Ami's head snapped up. Before them were two long legs encased in a pair of navy blue pants and boots. Her eyes traveled upwards, noting the book in his hands, the tiny smile on his face, the utter sadness invading his eyes. "Mercury Knight," she gasped, "I am so sorry!" He dropped to his knees before her, laying the book beside her own; he clasped her hands in his and gazed deeply in to her eyes. Neither one noticed Serena, nor her mother, who had been escorting Greg around the garden, quietly leave. "Princess," he began then stopped. "I'm not quite sure what to say, Ami," he candidly admitted. "We were such good friends before I left, can't we be again?" Ami's heart was at war within her chest. He looked so sad and earnest kneeling there, his heart in his eyes. It wasn't in her to crush him, yet she could barely stand the imagined look of disapproval she knew Zoi would give her if he were there. Just another boy-toy, echoed in her mind, Zoi's bitter words of last night reminding her that Greg, honestly sitting here before her, was her destiny, her soul mate. He was the one fate had chosen for her, no matter what Zoi declared, and she knew it was destined to work out in the end. Ami remembered the day Greg left; two weeks after the Grand Ball, he and the other Knights were gathered by Queen Serenity to say goodbye to their respective Princess', then with many long looks back, escorted by Darien and Raye's father to their destiny. Ami had crushed Greg in a large bear hug, and had insisted he return the next day. Looking like a young King, he had solemnly promised to do his best for their planet. She had shyly stood on tiptoe, and with a five-year-old's innocence, kissed him lightly on the lips. As he and the other young Knights rode away, Zoi took her hand and began to comfort the tiny weeping princess of Mercury. Greg was my first kiss...and Zoi comforted me after he left. "Greg," she whispered, her eyes tearing. She leaned forward, in to his arms and gave him a welcome home hug, one of the things they used to share as children in the royal court of Mercury. Neither one noticed the jealous eyes watching from a distance. * * * * * * * * * * * Mina stared at Adam unabashedly. The other Scouts were in the kitchen, making pizza and spaghetti for dinner, but she and the Knights remained in Raye's room. He was reminiscing with Darien about incidents in the Silver Millennium; times they sparred together, the engagement ball, and their lives on Earth to date. The humidity was intense, coating the entire city with a sticky film of sweat. Tired and damp with sweat, Mina closed her eyes, the smell of honeysuckle drifted through Raye's window, teasing her nose. It's so hot now. I wish it would get cooler, or maybe rain. If the wind brought a rain like the one after the announcement ball during the Silver Millennium, then it would cool down for sure. * * * * * * * * * * * Lita and Mina lay on their stomachs on Mina's bed, gazing out the patio doors at the rising thunderstorm in the distance. The sky was one gloomy slate of gray and black, mirroring their respective moods. "Lita," Mina sighed, "what are we going to do? Ami and Greg were getting along fine at dinner; they might even be able to make a marriage work, but what about us? The only thing I remember about Adam is that he was four years older than me, and he doesn't like spinach." Lita twirled the tip of her long ponytail absently; "At least that's a start. I haven't gotten up the guts to talk to Ken yet." Mina sighed, "Don't you envy them?" "Who?" Jupiter asked, "Ami? The only reason Ami and Greg are doing fine is because they were so close before he left. He's only a year older than the rest of us, so he wasn't picked on when he played with us, unlike the rest of the Knights. "Take Ken for example, he's five years older than the rest of us, Chad and Adam are four years older, and Darien is six years older. No big difference, right?" Mina nodded, confused and uncertain as to where Lita was going with this. Continuing, Lita counted out the points on her fingers. "Try to remember how we used to play. Darien was always with the Generals, Ken and Chad kept to themselves, and Greg and Adam were inseparable. Ami and Serena were closest, Raye and Jadeite stuck together like glue, and we had each other. Auriel and Aurora came and went, but mostly they kept to themselves and Solan or Apollo." Mina rolled over, on her back. "Okay, so we all stuck together in groups, big deal. After the Knights left, the only boys growing up with us were the Generals, and then they finally realized that "little girls' could play rough too! Because of this, our "soul-mates" were off playing super-hero in a galaxy far, far away while we Scouts trained here, and gradually fell in love with the wrong guys!" Lita braced herself on her elbows, and half-turned to look at Mina. "What are you saying? I'm not going to touch the 'wrong guys' issue right now, it's too confusing, but why are you mad at the Knights? You know they had to go away to train, it's tradition!" "You know what, Lita? I am tired of tradition! I got a letter from Malachite today, begging an audience with Princess Venus tomorrow afternoon in the garden. I had to send a negative reply. I hate turning him down for anything, he's so forceful, and can get so mad when he's denied anything!" She let the threatening tears overflow. "I think I love him, Lita! I want nothing more than to run away with him, to leave all this, and be humble on Earth away from everything." Lita gathered her in to her arms, hugging her tightly, rocking them both. "Shhh, Venus, it'll all work out, it has to." The night began to weep for Venus and Jupiter, slowly at first, and then the sky let loose torrents of rain. They gracefully moved off the bed, still crying, gliding to the doors to watch the heavens rip apart. Suddenly Lita wiped her eyes, and grabbed Mina's arm, pointing down in to the river where garden had once been. "Look! Mina, that's Ken!" Sure enough, a drenched Jupiter Knight was shuffling through the garden, heading towards Mina's window, his soggy cape trailing on the ground behind him. "Ken!" Lita called, "are you crazy? What are you doing?" He looked up, his face lighting at the sight of her. "Lita, I went to your room, but you weren't there." He shook his head once, his top hat flying off and landing on a rose bush. Lightening crashed in the distance as he gingerly retrieved his hat. "Umm, we need to talk. How do you feel about a stroll this lovely evening?" Almost as an afterthought, "Hi, Mina." "Hi, Ken," she replied. As one, Mina and Lita drew back from the doors and looked at each other incredulously. "What should I do, Mina?" Lita whispered. Mina thought of Nephrite, how this would crush him, how it would destroy Malachite as well if this midnight visit were Adam and not Ken. But a niggling feeling at the back of her mind urged her to answer with her soul, not her heart. "Go for it, girl!" Mina urged, pushing Jupiter towards the doors. "You'll only get a chance like this once! Your soul mate is out there, in the rain, looking for you. He's in this thunderstorm because of you, because he wants to speak to you. This night is going to set how you two react to each other for the rest of your lives, married or otherwise. Go!" Lita nodded once then enveloped Venus in a tight hug. "You're right. Thank you, Mina." Watching Lita leave, Mina's mouth dropped. Instead of walking out the bedroom door like a normal person, Lita took three large steps back, and began a running leap off the patio edge. "Lita!" Mina gasped. Mina rushed to the edge and peered over, to see Jupiter Knight cradling Lita tightly in his arms. He set her gently down, and they both laughed. Lita waved once, and they took off, slipping and sliding down the muddy garden path, their long legs eating up the yards, disappearing in to the sopping night within moments. The patter of rain was inviting and soothing. Sighing, Mina sat down on the edge of her bed and picked up the portrait of her mother. The Queen of Venus was lovely, her long luxurious hair curling past her knees in a cascade of ebony silk, posing with her husband, the King, against the background of picturesque Aphrodite Waterfalls. Her stomach, large and rounded with Mina under her tangerine dress, was not a distraction, but rather an asset. She was still the most beautiful woman Mina had ever seen, glowing with love and laughter in the intense Venus sunset. Proudly standing behind her, her father was handsome as well, his golden blond hair streaked with red, a dramatic contrast which went well with his pale blue eyes and rich golden skin. She put the picture back down on the bed-stand, and began braiding her hair for bed, dreaming about two very different pairs of eyes, one blue and one green. She slipped in to a pale orange satin nightgown, and pulled out a pair of tiny slippers, tying the blue ribbons around her ankles in to neat little bows. Mina paused a moment to admire the picture of her parents, her heart yearning for hearth and home. She loved living at the palace, but it had been months since she had been home. They look so happy, so in love. I miss my mother, my home, and my room. Mom would understand. She would know what to say or what to do to make it all better. I mean, when she met Father, she was younger than I am now. There's a ten-year difference between them, yet they're still in love. How do they do it? I wonder if she had my problem? I hope they are doing all right. "Ugh," Mina sat up, glancing at the patio, "I think I'm going to get something to drink. Lita's not coming back tonight, that's obvious." She glided downstairs, her pale silk robe flowing behind her. The hallway was dark and still, the lights dim and cold compared to the violent raging storm outside. The kitchen had little to offer in the way of comfort food, so she merely nibbled on a cookie, drank a cup of hot cocoa at the kitchen window, and watched the storm in all its savage glory. She felt her eyes grow heavy, and she laid her head on her arms on the table, still musing on the storm. Suddenly there was a quick flash of light against her eyes, and Mina knew she was dreaming. Auriel floated in the sky above her whispering, "Venus, try to understand, it must be this way..." Mina looked up, the sun was bright and fierce in the morning sky, violently swaying from left to right. Two cats sat on some stone steps, their tails whipping back and forth, agitated at her for waiting so long to make a decision. "Princess," urged the white one, "you must go, and quickly." "Yes"...chimed in the other, "he comes as a friend to your door, and you must deny him..." A hand on her shoulder caused Mina to jerk up with a startled scream, "Ahh!" "Mina!" Adam grabbed her shoulders with both hands, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to scare you, I was just checking to make sure you were okay." Heart thudding painfully away in her chest, Mina gulped shakily and nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine, you just scared me half to death!" Adam regretfully removed his hands and stuck them in his pockets, uncertain of what to do. Mina sighed, "I'm sorry if I scared you by falling asleep at the table. I haven't slept well since...well a few weeks ago." He nodded, relieved, his tousled red hair dark in the vague light from the hallway. "I'll leave you alone then, I just wanted to get something to calm my nerves. I haven't been sleeping well since we got back either." Flashing a sheepish grin, he took a cup from the cupboard and filled it with some of the cold cocoa from the pitcher in from of Mina. Taking a sip, he grimaced and nearly spit it back out. "Ugh! Oh that's horrible! How long has that stuff been here?" Mina chuckled softly, "However long I've been asleep. It was fresh when I made it." Adam half-laughed, and sat down beside her at the table. "So, Princess, how are things back home?" She shook her head; "I only know what Mother tells me when she visits for the occasional ball. Father only comes to make sure I'm training well. He and the King of Mars are thick as thieves these days." Adam nodded absentmindedly, "Yeah, he used to stop by occasionally to make sure I was training well too. You'd think he's afraid to leave his planet in the hands of two teenagers or something." Mina looked at him from the corner of her eye, uncertain what to say. He laughed and gently took her hand. "It was a joke Princess. Ever hear of them, they're supposed to make you laugh?" She giggled, enjoying the strange feel of his fingers entwined with her own. "I know, it's just that there hasn't been too many reasons to laugh in my life these days." Her eyes widened, as the realization of what just slipped out of her mouth hit her. "Oh no, Adam, I mean...I'm so sorry!" He looked at her sadly. "It's okay Mina, I understand. I heard...about all of it." "Adam," she began, then stopped, tears beginning to drip down her face. "I don't know how it happened. I barely remember when we fell in love, it just happened naturally. Somehow he turned from an obnoxious bratty jerk, to this amazing man. About two summers ago, it just happened, and we've been together ever since." She stopped uneasily, aware that she was blundering and blathering about, not really saying anything he would easily forgive. Adam nodded, his eyes shuttered and closed. "You don't have to explain, Mina. I know you don't want to marry me, and you don't have to. I was never one for taking an unwilling wife, even when they told us it might be this way." Mina's head snapped up, "What?!" Adam continued, his head down, "The trainers told us that's it's very common for there to be resistance to arranged marriages among the Scouts and Knights of the galaxies. More often than not, they were taken away at such a young age, there is no bond or connection when they meet." Mina looked him directly in the eye; "You don't like spinach." At first, he didn't know what to say. The untimely sentence was so ludicrous coming from her during such a serious conversation, that he had to smile. Then a chuckle worked its way up from his stomach as she began to softly giggle. Moments later, they were both kneeling on the floor, laughing hysterically. Neither one of them could stop, the laughter merely came rolling out of it's own accord, leaving them shaking and trembling on the spotless kitchen floor. Finally, they calmed down. Their hysterics calmed to mere giggles, and the occasional snort or chuckle. He turned to her, lying on his side, using his elbow as a brace and admired the view. She lay on her back, her nightdress modestly covering a good deal of her legs, her hair a thick blond cushion against the chill tile floor. Still lying next to one another, they felt the intense quiet of the kitchen drape over them softly, and Mina glanced up at him tenderly through her thick eyelashes. He smiled gently down at her, his lips slightly curved out, pursing as if in deep thought. The connection was tangible; both barely breathed, striving to keep the delicate strands of emotion under control. Mina felt her breath catch in her throat and held perfectly still as he lazily brought one finger to the tip of her nose, brushing it with it's tip. His fingers moved delicately outward, tracing her cheekbones tenderly, cautiously running his knuckles along her cheek. He leaned in, his breath feathering against her face, and she closed her eyes, expecting the world to shatter with her longing. The moment came, and passed, and she opened her eyes, to see him staring at her face, transfixed but regretful. "Adam," the word came out barely heard, a mere breath of air against his ear, filled with denied longing. "I can't," he whispered in return. "What we have," his voice choked, "though cosmically meant to be, goes against everything in your heart right now. You love Malachite, and I'm merely a boy from your past." He pulled away, and drew her to her feet beside him, hugging her briefly before turning and gliding towards the door. At the door, he paused, "Mina, before you make your decision, I want you to know one thing. I am Venus Knight, and your protector, and always will be, no matter what you decide. I will always love you, not just because it's destiny, but because it's always been that way, from the first moment I laid eyes on you when they found me in the park that day, fighting those bullies." "Adam," she whispered, helplessly. He grinned sadly, "I loved you when you were a snot-nosed kid I wasn't supposed to play with, a real terror to the generals, and like my little sister. I was old enough to understand about fate then, Mina. I just didn't understand until now that 'meant to be' isn't always that easy." He pressed a kiss in to the palm of his hand, and blew it to her. "Goodnight, lovely Princess. Sweet dreams." "Goodnight," she whispered as he left the room, "my sweet prince." * * * * * * * * * * * Ken and Lita sat in the gazebo, dripping icy rainwater and smiling heartily. Memories flowed between them easily, the time at the ball slipping in the hallway, challenging one another to race after race one summer, dancing lessons at Adam's birthday party. Lita was glowing, her eyes two bright stars against the pale lightning flashes. Ken had to openly admire her, for though sopping wet, she didn't look it at the moment, she stood like she was true royalty; back straight, shoulders up, reveling in her glorious height, rather than slumping. She was lovely, proud and strong, honest with him in every regard, tactfully of course, but rarely sparing his feelings none-the-less. She told him of Nephrite, of their quiet passion for one another, and he simply listened with an open ear, neither urging her on, nor condemning her for trusting him with this sacred information. "You're not mad?" she asked hesitantly, her eyes belying the fear rolling within. Ken sighed, "Honestly, Lita, I don't have the right to me angry with you. You barely know me, how can I expect you to justify yourself to someone who has been a missing part of your life since you were six or seven? You're seventeen Lita, and old enough to make your own decisions. I only came to Mina's window tonight to learn more about my possible future wife, but after literally playing in the rain with you, dancing here in the gazebo, remembering our past together, I am convinced that we are actually soul mates. It's as if not a day has passed since I left you and the other Princess' in front of the castle." Her distress was clear on her face. "But..." To quiet her, he touched her face tenderly, stroking her pointed chin with one finger, running the others across her lips lightly. She leaned in to the touch like a cat, her eyes fluttering closed. "Mmmm, that feels wonderful, Ken." He smiled, and continued petting her hair and face lightly, soothing her gently. "Lita, I have always loved you. If you don't want to marry me now, I completely understand. But please, before you run away with Nephrite, take this small example in to consideration, okay?" He pulled out from his cape a small envelope. Lita glanced at it curiously, her eyes widening when she realized what it was. "Home," she whispered with longing. The black and white picture was clean in line and design, taken for show, but lovely none the less. It was Jupiter Castle, and her mother and father stood before the front gate with the wide sloping grassy field surrounding them. She and Ken, maybe three and eight years old, stood slightly off to the side, both looking slightly ruffled. Lita smiled tenderly, the memories returning. Ken had been found the week before, and she had been visibly upset that another person was taking her Daddy's interest away from her again. She and Ken had gotten in to a huge fight in the garden mere hours before the picture, and he had been the first recipient of small Lita's powers. She laughed, "You never ran so fast in your life did you?" Ken smiled sadly, "Yeah, well, when you have three lightning bolts chasing after you, you don't stop and ask questions. All I knew is that I had to do something or get fried." "Yes," Lita said smugly, "but even though you did try to retaliate, I still fried you in the end. Granted, it was the back end, but I simply wanted revenge, I wasn't picky how it was accomplished." He smiled and pulled out another picture from the envelope. Lita gasped when he handed it to her. This picture was dog-eared and worn, the edges tattered from much use. "My portrait, how did you...?" "Your father had it commissioned mostly for himself, to put up in the grand hall, you know? But then he stopped by the training center about a week or so before the painting was done. He noted my interest in how you were, so he commissioned this small portrait for me as well to keep so I would have a piece of you everywhere." Lita turned to look at him; "You seem to have looked at it often enough." He smiled, shamefaced but proud. "All the Knights were given pictures of the Scouts growing up. In living your daily lives you may have forgotten about our existence, but we were reminded every day during training of yours. First thing we heard every morning was, 'Eat right, so you can be healthy to fight for your Princess!' and the last thing most of us did every night, through these mini portraits, was to say goodnight to our Princess'." He smiled softly, "I always believed you were more lovely than any of the other Sailor Scouts, but then I'm a bit prejudiced." "Ken," she began, then gave up. Grabbing him by the wrist, she looked deep in to his eyes, and purposely thought of Nephrite. Nephrite, her year-long love, had not kissed her, not once. He was too paranoid about being caught and banished, so the most he had ever done was hold her close to him, hugging her when no one was around. Lita had always known how shy he was, and had not minded until this moment. Suddenly, every halted embrace was a blessing, for now she realized that there was a connection between she and Ken that had never existed in Nephrite's arms. She closed her eyes, and kissed Ken. It was warm and gentle, but a slender line of electric fire ran between them, heating the shy, awkward moment with a blooming passion. She broke the kiss, stepped away, and placed her cold hands on her burning cheeks. "Give me time, Ken. I need a few days to think about things, and I promise, I'll try to be fair." Lita ran through the lessening storm to her room. She found a ladder against the wall and nimbly climbed it up to her patio. Opening the doors, she flopped damply on her bed and closed her eyes. A quiet movement on the bed in the darkness, and her eyes popped open. Before she could utter a word, lips closed over her own, tender and passionate. Lita's blood heated, her eyes drifted closed, and as she deepened the kiss, her mind was racing. How did Ken get into my room before me? The kiss ended softly, and Lita sighed with contentment, snuggling further into the man on the bed with her. "Lita," a familiar voice murmured in her ear, "will you marry me?" Nephrite! * * * * * * * * * * * Mina finished the last of the cocoa and tightened her robe around her. The rain was finally beginning to let up, and she wondered if Lita had made it to her room safely. Maybe a book will help me go to sleep. The library door yawned blackly open as she neared, dark and dangerous looking. Mina remembered the night of the ball, mere days before, watching Malachite open the drapes from across the room. She had been so certain of her love then, so positive that she could never feel anything for Venus Knight, yet here she was, reliving the almost-kiss between herself and Adam, rather than remembering the actual kisses Malachite and she had shared in this very room. She drew closer to the drapes, when suddenly, a hand clamped over her mouth and hot breath rushed against her ear. "Oomph!" "Shhh, little Princess," whispered a familiar voice, "don't wake the household, I merely came to talk to the unreachable, untouchable Mina." The hand drew away, and Mina whirled around in Malachite's arms. "What are you doing here?" He chuckled, "I do live on the grounds when Darien is visiting Serena, Mina. I was simply coming to visit you in your room when I realized how thirsty I was. After all, it's tiring work, coming up with a plan to kidnap the one you love, so you can live happily ever after, right?" He paused, his voice dropping, "I went to the kitchen to get a drink Mina, and what did I see? Maybe you could tell me, huh?" Her eyes fluttered closed, and for the first time ever, Mina was truly scared for her life. His voice was rough and bitter, and the arms around her were cruel and tight. There was none of the love from the few nights before evident in his voice, only jealousy and anger. "Malachite," she began, but his hand descended upon her mouth again. "No," he interrupted harshly, "No, here is where you don't get to talk. Here is where I get to tell you what I think of you and your mind games, Mina. Then, and only then, maybe, I'll let you talk. Do you understand?" He shook her roughly, "Do you understand?!" She nodded, tears welling in her eyes and dripping down her face. He pulled her back against his chest, his grip vise-like and bruising. "I went to get a drink, Mina. I stepped two full steps in to the kitchen and who do I see lying on the floor like a two-bit whore? You, Mina. You and that carrot-topped moron who happens to be named Knight of Venus. Your faces were inches apart Mina, and getting closer together, inch by inch." Mina tried to break in, "Malachite, I..." she greatly underestimated his rage, for he violently backslapped her once across the face. She tried to pull away, and the next thing she knew his fist buried itself in her left eye. Gaining momentum, he shoved her on to the desk, folding her over the edge and banging her face on the hard, flat surface. Calming down, he shoved her away from him, in to the large leather chair in the corner of the room. She crumpled in to it, idly wondering if anyone would hear her if she screamed. He continued, raging in circles about the room, "It's not like I should have expected more of you, you are simply the only girl I've ever trusted enough to give my heart to after all." He abruptly paused and looked at her, the anger draining away, "Mina, why?" His voice broke, and a tear dripped its way down his cheek. "Why did you do that to me, Mina? Did I never mean anything to you? Is that it? You just needed me to fill in the empty space before Adam got back? Did you mean it when you said you loved me, or was that a lie too?" Mina hesitantly rose from the chair, her eyes puffy and red. The area where his hands had clamped was already beginning to darken several shades. His eyes were drawn to the bruises, the beginning of her black eye; his whole body slumped, as ashamed fear, and deep regret coursed its bitter way through his bloodstream. Her voice was low and cracked, "Leave, Malachite. Leave, now or I will make you leave, and no matter how powerful you are, you can't stand up to a Scout on your own, without Darien to back you. "I loved you, and will always have a special place in my heart for you, but after tonight, any hesitation or uncertainty I felt is gone. I am going to marry Adam, and I will rule Venus wisely and well one day." She paused, "Without you." She looked him directly in the eyes, her own filled with ice and pain. "You dug your own grave, Malachite. I won't tell Darien, or any one else of tonight. The bruises I got during training, the black eye tonight when I was sleepwalking." Her voice rose to a screaming pitch, "Now go, or by all the power in Venus, I will make you go. I never, ever want to see you again, do you understand me?" He raised his head, and took two steps toward her, "Mina, I am sorry. There is no excuse for what I've done, can you ever..." She whirled on him, and began to power up, orange and golden comets flaring about the room as her body began to glow. "Venus Star..." He beat a hasty retreat, and right before walking out the door, threw a small box at her feet. "Just remember, Princess, I would have died for you, whether is was my destiny to or not. That should have counted for something!" As soon as he was gone, she stopped the transformation, the lights faded, leaving merely Mina in her nightgown. She crumpled to the ground in shock, her head felt light and fuzzy. She picked up the small box and opened it. Inside there was a small engagement ring, set with tiny orange stones, and a heart-shaped diamond chip in the center. She stared at it, transfixed for minutes, then with a hellish scream, launched it across the library and curled into a small ball by the desk, weeping. * * * * * * * * * * * Lita and Nephrite's heads snapped up as a ghastly scream rose from downstairs. They both leapt to their feet, and found Serena in her nightgown leaning over the railing in the hallway, frantically searching the foyer for the source of the noise. "I can't find Mina," Ami yelled from the end of the hall. "She's not in her room!" * * * * * * * * * * * "Ami, Mina, did you want pizza or spaghetti?" Lita looked up from her tray, and held out the three plates. Mina took her plate, passing the other two to Ami, who paused in her typing to take the other plate of spaghetti, handing the final plate across the bed to Chad who hastily began gulping down the first greasy piece of pepperoni pizza. Raye, beside him, took hers in tiny bites, daintily wiping her fingers on a paper napkin by her side. "So, let me get this straight. We all have been having the same dream for the past several nights, right? A desert, a monster with tentacles, and a red-haired Sailor?" Ami nodded, typing away as fast as her fingers could, recording every word spoken during the meeting for future use. "Oh yes, all of us, including the Knights. I haven't checked with the Outers yet, but I'm willing to bet that they've been having recurring Silver Millennium memories as well as that dream too." Chad nodded, "Yeah, it's weird. When we were passed out I was remembering this time that one of the Generals and I got in to a major fight over Raye, then... Whoa! That's weird, I can't really remember the rest, except that everything went nuts." Adam, paused in his munching, looking to Mina with concern, "Was it the night after the ball? It was raining right?" Nodding, Chad gulped down the last bite of his pizza and continued, "Yeah, we were in Raye's sitting room while she was asleep in her bedroom. I wanted to talk and explain that I understood about the whole not wanting to marry me thing, but when I got there, he was trying to sneak in to her room through the window." * * * * * * * * * * * "What in the hell do you think you're doing here?" Chad asked coldly, his dark frame casually propped against the open door to Raye's sitting room. Jadeite turned, his short blond hair gleaming in the pale light from the hallway light. He was dripping wet, his uniform plastered to his sleek limbs. "What do I think I'm doing here?" he retorted. "I always come this way. Serenity forbids us to visit at night, so Raye and I meet here, in her sitting room." He looked Chad up and down with one dismissive glance and turned, preparing to enter Raye's bedroom. Striding forward, Chad grabbed Jadeite's arm tightly. "I don't think so, General. She's asleep, and where I come from, one does not barge in on a lady while she's resting." "Look, you shaggy-haired little scumbag!" Jadeite hissed at Chad, his face going a shade of crimson Chad hadn't known possible. "If you think for one moment that..." A loud scream broke through their heated argument, and Raye, who had been in the next room, sleeping peacefully, and completely unaware of the duel instigated in her sitting room, abruptly woke up instinctively thinking of Mina. Something's happened to Mina. She's in trouble. * * * * * * * * * * * Rinsing the last of the soapy residue out of her hair, Auriel let the hot water sheet over her body, turning her hands to divert the spray away from her face. Her mind whirred with the situation at hand, and how to be of assistance without endangering the timeline. Fate, destiny, eternal knowledge. How does Pluto do it? I would never be able to handle such a momentous responsibility. I have a hard enough time understanding my own destiny, much less dealing with destinies of the other Scouts. I wish I could tell the girls how things will turn out, but that will alter the timeline, and that's an offense punishable by death. The Knights can't help the fact that they were taken away, and the Scouts can't help the fact that they each harbor emotions for men that will one day betray them and in turn, try to destroy Earth. Poor Ami, if only she knew what is coming for her. She's so strong, but this will test her in every way imaginable. I wish I could ease her coming pain, but Celia said to remain untouchable and distant. Ami must turn to the Inner Scouts for guidance in this instance or all will be lost and useless. The shower was warm and soothing, but unfortunately, over. The Solar Sailor gingerly opened the steamy glass door with her right foot, stepped on the fuzzy bathmat and groaned deliciously. The humid vapors swirled around her feet, coating her legs with goosebumps and sending a delightful shivery sensation down her back. Auriel wrapped her towel tightly around her slender body and cautiously tiptoed past Aurora's bed, and in to her own bedroom. She was slipping her nightshift over her head when Mina's scream cut through the peaceful silence. * * * * * * * * * * * Mina opened her eyes to see Adam's welcome face leaning over her. "Hey, you," he whispered tenderly, stroking fine wisps of blond hair off her forehead. "We were worried about you." Serena, standing nearby, wrung out a cloth and handed it to him, concern etching small lines in her smooth face. "Are you all right Princess?" she whispered softly. "We couldn't find who did this to you, but Darien and the Knights are sweeping the castle grounds, and the Generals are gathering troops to put up more watches." She paused, flustered. "I don't know how an intruder could get past the guards and in to the palace itself, but be assured, as I am Princess of the Moon, it won't happen again!" Mina smiled warily, her battered face protested the motion, but she knew it was necessary to ease the troubled glances they were giving one another. "Serena, don't bother. I never saw his face, so I couldn't accuse anyone anyway. It wouldn't be right or fair to the one they catch. I have no way to identify him." "Are you sure, Mina?" Adam asked, his eyes probing her face. "If it was someone the Palace guards know, then it would explain why an alarm wasn't raised until we found you." "No," she denied, her heart breaking at the thought of lying to him, "no, I don't have a clue as to who it was. If someone I knew and loved did this to me, I certainly wouldn't simply take it, now would I?" Adam nodded slowly, his shuttered gaze telling her without words that he knew she was lying. Mina turned on her side, wincing as her swollen cheek pressed against the soft weight of her favorite feather pillow. Serena tucked her in more firmly; smoothing the thick bedspread over Mina's battered body. "Adam," she began in a low whisper, "I..." "No," be broke in, "we'll discuss this later, when she's awake." Mina dozed, flitting lightly through horrible nightmares of facing off against Zoisite and Malachite, of trapping Jadeite with her powers, and losing him to the Nega-force. "Sailor failures, meet your destiny!" Zoisite screamed. A black dome covered the Inner Scouts, and from a distance Mina could see it begin to drain their energy. "No! Artemis, what am I going to do?" Mina yelled. "Save them Mina, you have arrived at the crossroads of your destiny. Seize it and take a step in to the future." "I am Sailor Venus! Prepare to be smashed! Venus Crescent Beam, Smash!" Serenity's soft wise voice woke her from her sweaty nightmares, "She'll be fine, physically, in a few weeks, but the emotional scars are always going to be there." Mina could hear the fatigue in his tone as Adam answered, "I know Queen Serenity, but I still think that I should remain and see to her." His voice turned pleading, "Serena's been tending to her for the past twelve hours and desperately needs rest. I can handle this by myself, I promise, I will watch her closely, just don't make me leave her side now, please!" With an effort, Mina opened her gritty eyes, and caught the Queen's worried eye. Serenity raised her eyebrow and looked to Mina for guidance. Nodding, Mina licked her cracked lips and tried to swallow. "Adam," she croaked, "can I have a glass of water?" He turned from the Queen, his eyes opening wide, "Of course, Princess. Right away!" "Mina, I must go, I hear the guards calling, but get better soon. I will be by later to check on you with some of the others." Patting Mina's shoulder tenderly, Serenity left the room, and Mina wondered if they had told Malachite yet about her "accident". She struggled in to a sitting position, and ran her hands through the dirty mass of tangled hair. Adam returned with her water, then slid his body behind her, supporting her weight with his chest as she sipped the cool liquid. She winced as her back cracked and a headache began throbbing in her skull. "You were hit on the head pretty hard when you fainted, Mina. You, uh, have a concussion, several broken ribs, and a sprained wrist. The doctors don't know if any damage is permanent, but they are hopeful that you will have a full recovery within a few months." Mina nodded, her headache thumping along with her pulse, "How is everyone else?" Adam looked confused, "What do you mean? Was anyone else attacked?" She shook her head, "No, I mean, how's everyone taking it? Are they all okay?" "Oh," Adam said, his eyes darkening, "no, they're all fine. Serena stayed up to take care of you, so she's sleeping at the moment. It's been almost a full day since we found you, and the rest had dinner in the dining hall a few hours ago." "Who's they?" Mina questioned, leaning her head against his shoulder, exhaustion seeping through every limb. "Well," Adam drawled, "Ami and Greg were at the head of the table with Lita and Ken, discussing possible attack stances should this happen again. Umm, Darien and the Generals were talking with Chad about rigging power centers in the basement, possibly to construct a jail cell, should they find who did this to you. Raye and Auriel simply ate, and didn't say much of anything, Serena slept, and I only stopped by to pick up a sandwich while Queen Serenity watched you." He shifted carefully under her body, drawing her closer to his chest, his hands balancing her weight easily before he eased her back against himself again. "Does that adequately answer your question, Princess?" "All the Generals?" Mina murmured softly, tears trickling down her face as she stared up at the ceiling. "Umm, no," Adam whispered, unaware if her tears, "Malachite left the night of your attack for Earth. One of his men, Adonis, said it was important. Darien received the message the next day." His voice grew cautious, "Why do you ask, Princess?" Mina shook her head in sorrow, "I should have expected as much. We fought before he left, about you. I told him my choice was made, and he...didn't wish to stay here any longer if I wasn't going to be his anymore." She felt Adam stiffen, "What do you mean, Mina? You decided...for me?" Mina curled into his warmth, appreciating the way he automatically wrapped his arms around her supportively. "Yes, Adam. I chose you." She looked up at him, and was warmed by the disbelief radiating in his eyes. She tilted her head back, and shifted her weight. Ignoring her pounding head, she lay back on the bed, drawing him down beside her. "Kiss me, my sweet Prince," she whispered, closing her eyes, "and prove that you are my soul-mate." He smiled tenderly, "With pleasure, my Princess." * * * * * * * * * * * "Hey, guys!" Mina and Adam broke apart as Lita knocked hesitantly on the kitchen door. "I know you two came here to get away from everyone and be alone for a few, but I really need to do the dishes, if you don't mind." Mina blushed, and Adam grinned hugely, his green eyes sparkling with amusement. "Why don't we get lost?" he suggested lightly, his hand stroking her flat stomach. She brushed her thick hair behind her ears, grasped his hand and they stepped lightly past Lita, smiling as they passed. Resolutely shaking her head, she turned on the hot water and squirted a handful of dish soap in to the rising water. The bubbles swirled and swished against the sides of the kitchen sink as she fed the hungry water the dirty plates and cups. Sinking her hands elbow deep in the foam, she began scraping the residue off the first plate, her mind wandering, not really thinking about her actions, but rather actions in the past... * * * * * * * * * * * Nephrite watched Lita hug Jupiter Knight from across the garden, his heart thumping painfully in his chest. Lita, my love, what am I to do without you? You haven't even glanced my way once since Mina was attacked. Why won't you look at me, talk to me? "Nephrite, hey Nephrite!" a voice by his side interrupted his musing. Nephrite turned to see Zoisite a few feet behind him, lounging insolently against a tree. "Hey, how're you doing?" "What do you mean?" Nephrite countered angrily, "You mean about Lita?" His voice dropped, deepening with sarcasm. "Oh, we're doing fine. She's in love with that pansy, and I'm stuck here, spying on her from across the garden, an engagement ring burning a hole in my pocket." Zoisite raised his eyebrow, "You asked her to marry you?" He gestured towards the strolling couple; "I take it she turned you down for Prince charming over there." Nephrite shook his head, "That's the thing, she didn't answer me, and she still hasn't. I asked right before Mina...well right before, you know. I haven't gotten a spare moment to speak with her since." Zoi nodded, his face falling. "I feel the same about Ami. She turned me down right before the ball, even before she knew the Knights were back. She 'loves her planet to much to put it in danger' she said." Nephrite sighed, "I wish Malachite were here. He'd know what to do." Zoisite laughed bitterly, "He left awfully suddenly, don't you think?" Nodding, Nephrite agreed, "Do you want to know what I think? I think that Malachite and Mina fought before he left, he's heard what happened to her, and feels too guilty to come back and apologize." Zoisite looked at Nephrite askance, "If you say so, but I'm not so sure." "What do you mean?" Nephrite asked, his brow furrowed with concern. "You think that he's staying away for some other reason?" Shaking his head, Zoisite sighed, "I know Malachite a little better than the rest of you, and I think there's something more there than meets the eye. I mean, he's extremely forceful and Mina was always a bit too high spirited for him. She has her own opinions, and he likes to control all situations explicitly." Loud laughter interrupted their secret conference, and they both turned to see Lita and Ken join Ami and Greg by the rose bushes. The four looked so at ease, standing there, and both the Generals turned away in pain and disgust. "Let's make a pact," Nephrite whispered, "to never, ever rest, until they love us once more!" He stuck his hand out, and Zoisite grabbed it tightly. "I swear," Zoisite whispered passionately, "if it's the last thing I do, I will find a way to win her back!" Nephrite chimed in, "And if the world should end, I swear to spend eternity hunting for my only true love." * * * * * * * * * * *