The Prince looked down at his beloved, as he held her lifeless body in his arms, still unable to accept that she was truly gone.

It was like losing his parents all over again, but even then, he hadn't really gotten to know them, to live with them, and have them affect his life as much as Serena had.

His sunshine, his serenity.

It didn't matter that they had a past. He could care less that they had been lovers in another lifetime.

All that mattered was the fact that he had lost the girl he loved. Not the princess, not the strong soldier that faced evil every day, but the girl that had changed his outlook on life ever since she came crashing into his life.

And now she was gone.

His whole body seemed to shake, as he felt his hands clench, and his throat close up.

He couldn't save her this time.

She was really, really gone.

It finally began to sink in, and it was bad enough that the scouts were breaking down and crying.

I must be strong, he thought. But he knew that was a lie. There was nothing more he wanted to do now more than break down with them.

As he closed his eyes in anguish, he felt the air shift and change.

"Thank you Darien," Fiore said.

"You helped deliver me from Cassinian's evil grasp."

I nodded, but still knew I could never go back to being a friend to Fiore. As much as I cared about him, he had destroyed my love. Stomped on every fragile bit of her.

Fiore, sensing my hurt and betrayal, smiled.

"This is the friendship flower. Give its nectar to Sailor Moon."

I was a little wary at first, but hey, it was worth a try. I felt hope begin to stir in me, as I leaned down, and for what may be my last chance, kissed my beloved. I felt my eyes began to tear up.

Please. I thought

Please wake up. Please let this work.

I felt her stir beneath me, opening her blue eyes, disoriented.

She stared into my eyes, with confusion and I into hers with nothing but love, my heart heaving with the need to take her into my arms yet again. I, however resisted, since she needed her breathing space.

Finally, she came around, and I saw the recognition come into her eyes.

"We saved earth?" she sweetly asked me.

I sighed. Leave it to serena to put everyone else before her.

"Yes," I answered.

"Thank you," she replied.

Gazing up lovingly at me, she smiled.

"Without you, I never would have been able to hold on to the Crystal until the very end."

I smiled, my nerves fried.

"So, when I say it'll be okay, next time you'll believe me?"

And it was then that I was sent over the edge. Tears spilled out of the corners of my eyes as I nodded, hugging her close to me.

Earth was once again saved, and I knew I had another chance to make things work, to be with my Serena and to never let her go.