Reunion-chapter 2
By Lufia, Xelloss no Miko
Rating:
Type: Sailor Moon, Romance, AU
Note: Sailor Moon doesn't belong to me (I wish it did, but oh well.) It belongs to a very gifted woman named Naoko Takeuchi. It also belongs to Kodansha, Toei, DiC, Mixx, Cloverway, and many other people I can't even begin to name. In other words, don't sue me, please. I'm a poor college student who likes to write, that's all.
Further Note: I'm using the DiC dub names in this fanfic because it's the series I know best. Being an American, I don't have access to all the pretty Japanese episodes, except through the internet realplayer files and friendly neighborhood fansubbers. I do, however, have access to Cartoon Network, and have seen the entire English run several times over. I happen to like the dub (for what it is), for the most part. That being said, enjoy the fic!
Send all comments to: Nightmare_Queen@Mazoku.zzn.com
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Molly awoke to the incessant buzz of her alarm clock. She blinked several times, clearing the sleep from her eyes, then stretched an arm out lazily to hit the snooze button. Her hand brushed across a tangle of brown hair. Molly smiled, realizing that what had happened last night hadn't been a dream. Nephlyte was alive, and he had stayed with her. She turned her head and gazed at him. He lay on his side next to her, facing outward, toward the window. She could hear him snoring gently. The alarm hadn't woken him up.
As much as she regretted to so, Molly slid out of bed, careful not to wake Nephlyte, and crept around her room, getting her things together for school. The last thing she needed was for her mother to come in to hound her about school, and to find a man in her daughter's bed. Not that it wasn't perfectly innocent, Molly thought, smiling. After he had kissed her, they had talked for a while, interrupted only by Molly's occasional yawning. Nephlyte had suggested that she get some sleep, and had tucked her in snugly. He had sat on the edge of her bed while she drifted off. He must've fallen asleep himself, despite his assertion that people from the Negaverse rarely needed sleep.
Molly gathered her school uniform into a bundle and padded off to take a shower. She paused at the door, casting a glance back at Nephlyte. She didn't want him to worry if he woke up and she wasn't there. She grabbed a pen and notebook from her desk and scribbled a quick note. She tore the page from the spiral and placed it on her pillow, letting the notebook and pen fall to the floor. She gathered up her clothes again and went out into the hall, closing the door gently behind her.
When she returned half an hour later, she found Nephlyte awake, standing by the window. He was leaning against the glass, gazing down at the city below. He hadn't heard her come in.
"Good morning," Molly said quietly. She blushed slightly.
Nephlyte turned to her, smiling warmly. "Good morning, my love."
Molly's blush deepened, and she ducked her head bashfully for a minute before running up to him and embracing him tightly. Nephlyte was thrown off balance by the sudden tackle, and fell backwards onto the floor, pulling Molly along with him. She cried out, then giggled brightly.
"What?" Nephlyte asked, placing a finger on the tip of her nose.
Molly smiled and shook her head. She lay her head against his chest and sighed. She closed her eyes and smiled more widely as she felt his arms wrap around her.
"Molly?"
Molly and Nephlyte glanced toward the door, their eyes wide. "Just a second, Mama!" Molly called, jumping up and smoothing down her skirt. Nephlyte rolled over onto his stomach and crawled over behind the bed.
"Molly, you're going to be late!"
"I'm coming, Mama!" Molly turned to her bed, tossing an apple to Nephlyte, who caught it and looked at her questioningly. "It's lunch. I'll be home after school. Stay out of sight!" Molly blew Nephlyte a kiss, grabbed her school satchel, then opened the door and dashed out, slamming it shut behind her. She thundered down the stairs, nearly colliding with her mother, who was mounting the stairs to come and get her.
"I'm just leaving, Mama, bye!"
"Wait!"
Molly froze on the bottom step. She slowly turned her face to meet her mother's gaze, hoping her eyes would not betray her apprehension.
"You seem to be feeling much better this morning," her mother said.
Molly smiled up at her mother, her tension dissipating. "I am. A good spirit came and chased my nightmare away."
Molly's mother chuckled lightly, then smiled. "I'm glad."
"Me too. Bye, Mama!" Molly dashed to the back door, pausing only to slip on her loafers, then was out the door and around to the front of the building. She stopped and looked up. Nephlyte stood by her bedroom window, gazing down on her. She flashed a quick smile at him, then broke into a run. She did not want to be late to school today.
Everyone at school noticed the change in Molly's demeanor. She was cheerful again. She smiled and laughed and talked with her friends, just like she had before. She teased Melvin, and she passed notes to Serena. She raised her hand to answer questions, much to Miss Haruna's relief. The cloud that had been hanging over her head for weeks was gone.
"Molly!" Serena called to her at lunch. "Molly, come sit over here!" Serena was sitting cross-legged under the cherry tree where the two of them had regularly sat before Molly became depressed. She sat alone, as if waiting for her. Molly smiled and sat down next to her pig-tailed friend, tucking her blue uniform skirt under her carefully.
"Hey, Serena." Molly pulled out her sandwich and took a bite.
"Okay, Molly, I hate to grill you, but what happened? Yesterday you're all doom and gloom, completely depressed, and today you're giggling and you've got the gleam back in your eyes, like you used to have when we'd play a trick on Melvin. What's going on?"
Molly nibbled uneasily on her sandwich, glancing from side to side as she debated telling Serena what had happened. Serena was her best friend, and she could be counted on to keep a secret when it was really important. But, was it even safe to talk about this in public? The Negaverse seemed to target school children, from what Molly had seen, and Nephlyte had admitted to during their discussion. There was a possibility of a Negaverse spy overhearing and reporting back to whoever was in charge, that queen Nephlyte had mentioned. Beryl? Yes, that was it. Molly shuddered at the thought of Queen Beryl knowing where Nephlyte was, and sending Zoycite to finish the job she'd started three weeks earlier.
"Are you okay, Molly?" Serena asked, interrupting her train of thought. Serena placed a hand on Molly's shoulder, and leaned forward. "You looked really worried there for a sec. Is something on your mind? Maybe I can help?"
Seeing the concern in Serena's eyes decided it for Molly. She sighed and turned to face Serena. "Okay, but you've got to promise that you won't tell anyone. This is between you and me. It's a really big secret, and I'm not even sure I should tell you, but I just can't handle this on my own."
"Sure, Mol," Serena said, her voice catching a bit. She leaned in closer, and replied quietly, "go ahead."
Molly took a deep breath. "Well, remember Maxfield Stanton?"
Serena stiffened. "Yes," she said slowly, a hint of bitterness in her voice.
"Remember about three weeks ago when I called you really late, and I told you that I'd just found out that Maxfield was some guy named Nephlyte, and he wanted to find Sailor Moon?"
Serena nodded.
"Well, it turned out that Nephlyte was one of Sailor Moon's enemies from the Negaverse. But he wanted to stop being evil, because he said my love turned him good. He thought I knew Sailor Moon, and wanted me to find her so she could help him. But before I could do anything, these weird monsters came and kidnapped me."
Serena opened her mouth to talk, but Molly waved her quiet. "Let me finish. They were monsters who were helping one of the other people from the Negaverse, a lady called Zoycite. She used me as bait to try and trap Nephlyte, and take a crystal from him. He saved me from the monsters, and we hid in the park for a while. But the monsters found us, and they hit Nephlyte with these energy-sucking thorns. He kept me from getting hurt, but I couldn't even pull the thorns from his shoulder. The sailor scouts came and defeated the monsters, but by then, it was too late to do anything for Nephlyte. He...he..." Molly broke off, crying silently. She bowed her head and wiped furiously at her eyes. She smiled as she felt Serena's hand return to her shoulder and pull her into a hug. "Thanks, Serena, I'm okay. It's still difficult for me. You remember how much I loved Maxfield...I mean Nephlyte. He told me that I would be in his heart, and then...he died. He died in my arms, and there was nothing I could do to help him."
"Oh, Molly," Serena said, squeezing her more tightly. She blinked back the tears that were forming just from listening to Molly's story. "And you've carried this around all this time? You haven't told anyone? Oh, no wonder you were so upset. I'm so sorry."
Molly looked up at Serena, sniffling a bit. "It's okay. Everything's all right now. The most wonderful thing happened last night, and it's made everything great."
Serena looked at Molly quizzically and cocked her head to the side.
"Last night, I had a nightmare again. I've been reliving that night as a nightmare ever since, and I'd just woken up from it, and I was crying, like I've been doing. Then all of a sudden Nephlyte was sitting there, and telling me not to cry, and he was going to help me to feel better."
"Molly!"
"Shh! Keep your voice down!" Molly said, clamping a hand over Serena's mouth, muffling her cries of protest. "It's hard to believe, I know, but it's true! His spirit came to me last night, to try and console me. But while he was there, something happened. His body solidified, and his heart started beating again. Then he held me in his arms and he kissed me, and he told me he would never leave me again."
"Oh, Molly," Serena sighed, "that was all just a dream."
Molly shook her head. "No, it wasn't. This morning when I woke up, he was sleeping on the edge of my bed, on top of my blanket. He's in my room right now. I know it's hard to swallow but...Serena? Are you okay?"
Serena's face had turned white. Her eyes were wide and unseeing, and her breath was coming in shallow gasps. Her hands were trembling in her lap. She looked over at Molly and blinked several times, trying to compose herself. "I'm fine, it's just a little hard to believe," she said, her voice shaking.
"Don't I know! Anyway, I knew I could trust you." Molly looked down at her own hands before continuing. "You...wouldn't like to come over after school today and meet him, would you?"
"What?" Serena asked, surprised. Her eyes went wide again.
"Please? I would feel much better if you would. He has to keep a low profile because if the Negaverse people find out he's still alive, they'll come after him, and kill him all over again. Serena, I couldn't bear it if I lost him a second time. And you're so clever, maybe you could help me figure out a good way to hide him, or something. I just don't think I can handle this all on my own. Will you please help me?" Molly clutched Serena's hands urgently, shaking them a bit. She searched her friend's blue eyes pleadingly.
Serena sighed, letting her shoulders slump. "Okay, Molly. But only because I'm worried about you. I don't completely trust this Nephlyte guy. He could be lying to you."
Molly smiled and shook her head. "I can promise you he's not. I trust him, and I trust his love for me. He told me he loves me, and I believe him."
"Can I come over later this evening, though? I've got detention, as usual, and then I've got to go to a study session with Amy. If I don't, I'll flunk the math test tomorrow for sure."
Molly nodded, smiling. "Sure. I'll see you after dinner, okay? Thanks, Serena."
"No problem," Serena grinned sheepishly. Then, she groaned as the lunch bell rang. "Lunch is over already? I barely had time to eat!"
Molly laughed and waved a quick goodbye to her friend. "I'll see you back in class, Serena."
Serena nodded, stuffing her lunch into her face. Her mind was racing. She couldn't believe that Nephlyte was back. This was BIG trouble for the Sailor Scouts. He knew her identity as Sailor Moon, and he knew how to defeat her. If he was lying to Molly, Serena could be walking into a trap. She looked up and spied Amy across the dell as she shoved her chocolate brownie down her throat.
"Amy!" Serena called, her voice muffled by the food. She swallowed and called out again.
The quiet, blue-haired girl paused and turned to wait for Serena.
"Hi, Serena. What's up?"
Serena lowered her voice so only Amy would hear. "Scout meeting right after school, at the temple. We have a major problem."
Amy nodded. "I'll call Raye on my communicator. You tell Lita."
"Right."
Molly jumped off the bus excitedly. She clutched her books to her chest and ran as fast as she could to the OSA.P jewelry store. She burst through the door, nearly knocking down a customer in the process.
"Molly!" her mother scolded from behind the counter.
"Sorry! Sorry, ma'am," Molly blushed. "Excuse me, Mama. I've got a lot of homework to get started on. Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. Serena's coming over after dinner to work on a project." It wasn't exactly a lie. Miss Haruna had given them a load of homework, but Molly wasn't planning on starting it anytime soon. And Serena would be paying a visit later on to help with a "project." She picked up her books from where they had fallen, and rushed upstairs, leaving her mother to stare after her.
Molly bounded up the stairs and down the hall to her room. She burst inside, flinging her books onto her bed. She stopped cold three paces in and looked around the room in surprise. It was clean. The bed had been made, the mess of papers in the corner straightened and piled neatly on her desk, the laundry placed neatly in her hamper. She scanned her room quickly, goosebumps rising on her arms. It was empty. She closed the door carefully behind her, clicking the lock into place. "Nephlyte?"
Nephlyte stepped from behind the partially closed closet door, causing Molly to jump. He rushed over to her and put his arms around her. "Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. I heard some noise outside and hid, because I wasn't sure who it was."
Molly smiled up at him. "I see you cleaned up."
"I had some time on my hands."
Molly laughed. She broke his embrace and plopped down on her bed. She pulled her legs up Indian-style and looked at him seriously. "What else did you get up to today?"
Nephlyte pulled Molly's chair out from her desk, flipped it around, and straddled it. "Not much, really. I did a lot of thinking, and ran a few errands. I visited my old home."
"Old home?" Molly asked.
"An abandoned mansion I'd set up residence in as Maxfield Stanton."
"Wasn't that dangerous? And how'd you get out of here without my mom seeing you?"
Nephlyte chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "Molly, Molly, Molly! Have you forgotten?"
Molly looked at him, her head tilted to one side.
Nephlyte stood up and held his arms open. "One, two, three," he said for effect, then disappeared.
"Nephlyte?" Molly called, her eyes wide. Two arms slithered around her waist from behind, pulling her into a tight embrace. She gasped and twisted her head around. Nephlyte knelt behind her on the bed, smirking.
"Oh, you!" Molly said, turning in his grasp and pushing on his chest lightly. Nephlyte leant back, toppling onto Molly's bed, pulling her along. She cried out, then flung her hands over her mouth, hoping her mother hadn't heard. Nephlyte lifted his head and kissed the backs of her hands, causing Molly to sigh and settle down against his chest. Her hands left her mouth and rested lightly below his collarbone. "I had forgotten," Molly said absently.
"I figured. Oh, how easily they forget the simplest of tasks, these humans."
"Nephlyte!" Molly cried, grinning. She pulled herself up and hopped off her bed. She turned to him, hands on her hips. She stared down at him, trying not to smile at the expression on his face. He looked like a lost puppy dog, which was something Molly would never have associated with the commanding man. His imploring gaze finally broke her resolve. She burst out laughing, doubling over and wrapping her arms around her belly. She glanced up to see Nephlyte grinning evilly. He caught her gaze and winked at her, causing Molly to laugh harder.
Nephlyte pushed himself into a sitting position and rose, his arms encircling Molly tightly. "Thank you," he whispered into her hair.
Molly's laughter died away and she looked up, meeting his gaze and searching his eyes. "For what?"
Nephlyte shook his head, a thin smile playing across his lips. He squeezed Molly tightly, then released her, resuming his place on her chair.
Molly plopped back down on her bed, dangling her legs over the edge. "What were we talking about?"
Nephlyte chuckled. "Our respective days."
"Right! So, why'd you go to your old house?"
"I wanted to get a few things from the old place, things that will be beneficial to me in the near future."
"Like?" Molly prompted, waving her hand in a circle impatiently.
"Money, ID, my drivers' license, birth certificate for Maxfield, important papers, things like that. Then, I went to the bank and put all my documents into my safety deposit box, and convinced the attendant that I had done it months ago."
"How'd you do that?"
Nephlyte grinned evilly. "I can be very... persuasive, when I need to be."
"You mean you hypnotized her."
Nephlyte nodded. "I didn't want to leave anything incriminating in the house. If Queen Beryl has any reason to think I'm still alive, that's more than likely the first place that will be searched. The Negaverse doesn't know my identity on Earth, but it's something that wouldn't be too difficult to figure out, if they had the right clues."
"So we don't have to do the secret thing?"
Nephlyte eyed her warily. "What do you mean, the secret thing."
"Well, you can move around freely in Tokyo, right? I mean, since the Negaverse doesn't know you're Maxfield Stanton. You can come and go as you please."
Nephlyte shook his head. " Maxfield Stanton has been missing for three weeks, remember? It might look suspicious for him to resurface now. I'm hoping I can lie low long enough for Sailor Moon and company to defeat Beryl. Then, I won't have to worry. What about you? How was school?"
Molly sighed. "School was school. Miss Haruna gave us a ton of homework, Melvin bugged me again, I had a big gossip session at lunch with Serena, the usual. Or at least, it used to be the usual. This is the first time I've been social in a while."
Nephlyte looked at her sadly, mentally cursing himself for causing her so much pain. He glanced at the clock on Molly's nightstand. "What time do you eat?"
"Six, why?" Molly turned to the clock. Her eyes went wide. "Oh my gosh, I'm gonna be late setting the table! I'll be back in a little while, and I'll try to bring you some of the leftovers." Molly jumped up, pecked Nephlyte on the cheek, and dashed down half a level of stairs, slamming the door in her wake. Nephlyte chuckled, and warded the door, so her mother wouldn't sneak up on him.
By Lufia, Xelloss no Miko
Rating:
Type: Sailor Moon, Romance, AU
Note: Sailor Moon doesn't belong to me (I wish it did, but oh well.) It belongs to a very gifted woman named Naoko Takeuchi. It also belongs to Kodansha, Toei, DiC, Mixx, Cloverway, and many other people I can't even begin to name. In other words, don't sue me, please. I'm a poor college student who likes to write, that's all.
Further Note: I'm using the DiC dub names in this fanfic because it's the series I know best. Being an American, I don't have access to all the pretty Japanese episodes, except through the internet realplayer files and friendly neighborhood fansubbers. I do, however, have access to Cartoon Network, and have seen the entire English run several times over. I happen to like the dub (for what it is), for the most part. That being said, enjoy the fic!
Send all comments to: Nightmare_Queen@Mazoku.zzn.com
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Molly awoke to the incessant buzz of her alarm clock. She blinked several times, clearing the sleep from her eyes, then stretched an arm out lazily to hit the snooze button. Her hand brushed across a tangle of brown hair. Molly smiled, realizing that what had happened last night hadn't been a dream. Nephlyte was alive, and he had stayed with her. She turned her head and gazed at him. He lay on his side next to her, facing outward, toward the window. She could hear him snoring gently. The alarm hadn't woken him up.
As much as she regretted to so, Molly slid out of bed, careful not to wake Nephlyte, and crept around her room, getting her things together for school. The last thing she needed was for her mother to come in to hound her about school, and to find a man in her daughter's bed. Not that it wasn't perfectly innocent, Molly thought, smiling. After he had kissed her, they had talked for a while, interrupted only by Molly's occasional yawning. Nephlyte had suggested that she get some sleep, and had tucked her in snugly. He had sat on the edge of her bed while she drifted off. He must've fallen asleep himself, despite his assertion that people from the Negaverse rarely needed sleep.
Molly gathered her school uniform into a bundle and padded off to take a shower. She paused at the door, casting a glance back at Nephlyte. She didn't want him to worry if he woke up and she wasn't there. She grabbed a pen and notebook from her desk and scribbled a quick note. She tore the page from the spiral and placed it on her pillow, letting the notebook and pen fall to the floor. She gathered up her clothes again and went out into the hall, closing the door gently behind her.
When she returned half an hour later, she found Nephlyte awake, standing by the window. He was leaning against the glass, gazing down at the city below. He hadn't heard her come in.
"Good morning," Molly said quietly. She blushed slightly.
Nephlyte turned to her, smiling warmly. "Good morning, my love."
Molly's blush deepened, and she ducked her head bashfully for a minute before running up to him and embracing him tightly. Nephlyte was thrown off balance by the sudden tackle, and fell backwards onto the floor, pulling Molly along with him. She cried out, then giggled brightly.
"What?" Nephlyte asked, placing a finger on the tip of her nose.
Molly smiled and shook her head. She lay her head against his chest and sighed. She closed her eyes and smiled more widely as she felt his arms wrap around her.
"Molly?"
Molly and Nephlyte glanced toward the door, their eyes wide. "Just a second, Mama!" Molly called, jumping up and smoothing down her skirt. Nephlyte rolled over onto his stomach and crawled over behind the bed.
"Molly, you're going to be late!"
"I'm coming, Mama!" Molly turned to her bed, tossing an apple to Nephlyte, who caught it and looked at her questioningly. "It's lunch. I'll be home after school. Stay out of sight!" Molly blew Nephlyte a kiss, grabbed her school satchel, then opened the door and dashed out, slamming it shut behind her. She thundered down the stairs, nearly colliding with her mother, who was mounting the stairs to come and get her.
"I'm just leaving, Mama, bye!"
"Wait!"
Molly froze on the bottom step. She slowly turned her face to meet her mother's gaze, hoping her eyes would not betray her apprehension.
"You seem to be feeling much better this morning," her mother said.
Molly smiled up at her mother, her tension dissipating. "I am. A good spirit came and chased my nightmare away."
Molly's mother chuckled lightly, then smiled. "I'm glad."
"Me too. Bye, Mama!" Molly dashed to the back door, pausing only to slip on her loafers, then was out the door and around to the front of the building. She stopped and looked up. Nephlyte stood by her bedroom window, gazing down on her. She flashed a quick smile at him, then broke into a run. She did not want to be late to school today.
Everyone at school noticed the change in Molly's demeanor. She was cheerful again. She smiled and laughed and talked with her friends, just like she had before. She teased Melvin, and she passed notes to Serena. She raised her hand to answer questions, much to Miss Haruna's relief. The cloud that had been hanging over her head for weeks was gone.
"Molly!" Serena called to her at lunch. "Molly, come sit over here!" Serena was sitting cross-legged under the cherry tree where the two of them had regularly sat before Molly became depressed. She sat alone, as if waiting for her. Molly smiled and sat down next to her pig-tailed friend, tucking her blue uniform skirt under her carefully.
"Hey, Serena." Molly pulled out her sandwich and took a bite.
"Okay, Molly, I hate to grill you, but what happened? Yesterday you're all doom and gloom, completely depressed, and today you're giggling and you've got the gleam back in your eyes, like you used to have when we'd play a trick on Melvin. What's going on?"
Molly nibbled uneasily on her sandwich, glancing from side to side as she debated telling Serena what had happened. Serena was her best friend, and she could be counted on to keep a secret when it was really important. But, was it even safe to talk about this in public? The Negaverse seemed to target school children, from what Molly had seen, and Nephlyte had admitted to during their discussion. There was a possibility of a Negaverse spy overhearing and reporting back to whoever was in charge, that queen Nephlyte had mentioned. Beryl? Yes, that was it. Molly shuddered at the thought of Queen Beryl knowing where Nephlyte was, and sending Zoycite to finish the job she'd started three weeks earlier.
"Are you okay, Molly?" Serena asked, interrupting her train of thought. Serena placed a hand on Molly's shoulder, and leaned forward. "You looked really worried there for a sec. Is something on your mind? Maybe I can help?"
Seeing the concern in Serena's eyes decided it for Molly. She sighed and turned to face Serena. "Okay, but you've got to promise that you won't tell anyone. This is between you and me. It's a really big secret, and I'm not even sure I should tell you, but I just can't handle this on my own."
"Sure, Mol," Serena said, her voice catching a bit. She leaned in closer, and replied quietly, "go ahead."
Molly took a deep breath. "Well, remember Maxfield Stanton?"
Serena stiffened. "Yes," she said slowly, a hint of bitterness in her voice.
"Remember about three weeks ago when I called you really late, and I told you that I'd just found out that Maxfield was some guy named Nephlyte, and he wanted to find Sailor Moon?"
Serena nodded.
"Well, it turned out that Nephlyte was one of Sailor Moon's enemies from the Negaverse. But he wanted to stop being evil, because he said my love turned him good. He thought I knew Sailor Moon, and wanted me to find her so she could help him. But before I could do anything, these weird monsters came and kidnapped me."
Serena opened her mouth to talk, but Molly waved her quiet. "Let me finish. They were monsters who were helping one of the other people from the Negaverse, a lady called Zoycite. She used me as bait to try and trap Nephlyte, and take a crystal from him. He saved me from the monsters, and we hid in the park for a while. But the monsters found us, and they hit Nephlyte with these energy-sucking thorns. He kept me from getting hurt, but I couldn't even pull the thorns from his shoulder. The sailor scouts came and defeated the monsters, but by then, it was too late to do anything for Nephlyte. He...he..." Molly broke off, crying silently. She bowed her head and wiped furiously at her eyes. She smiled as she felt Serena's hand return to her shoulder and pull her into a hug. "Thanks, Serena, I'm okay. It's still difficult for me. You remember how much I loved Maxfield...I mean Nephlyte. He told me that I would be in his heart, and then...he died. He died in my arms, and there was nothing I could do to help him."
"Oh, Molly," Serena said, squeezing her more tightly. She blinked back the tears that were forming just from listening to Molly's story. "And you've carried this around all this time? You haven't told anyone? Oh, no wonder you were so upset. I'm so sorry."
Molly looked up at Serena, sniffling a bit. "It's okay. Everything's all right now. The most wonderful thing happened last night, and it's made everything great."
Serena looked at Molly quizzically and cocked her head to the side.
"Last night, I had a nightmare again. I've been reliving that night as a nightmare ever since, and I'd just woken up from it, and I was crying, like I've been doing. Then all of a sudden Nephlyte was sitting there, and telling me not to cry, and he was going to help me to feel better."
"Molly!"
"Shh! Keep your voice down!" Molly said, clamping a hand over Serena's mouth, muffling her cries of protest. "It's hard to believe, I know, but it's true! His spirit came to me last night, to try and console me. But while he was there, something happened. His body solidified, and his heart started beating again. Then he held me in his arms and he kissed me, and he told me he would never leave me again."
"Oh, Molly," Serena sighed, "that was all just a dream."
Molly shook her head. "No, it wasn't. This morning when I woke up, he was sleeping on the edge of my bed, on top of my blanket. He's in my room right now. I know it's hard to swallow but...Serena? Are you okay?"
Serena's face had turned white. Her eyes were wide and unseeing, and her breath was coming in shallow gasps. Her hands were trembling in her lap. She looked over at Molly and blinked several times, trying to compose herself. "I'm fine, it's just a little hard to believe," she said, her voice shaking.
"Don't I know! Anyway, I knew I could trust you." Molly looked down at her own hands before continuing. "You...wouldn't like to come over after school today and meet him, would you?"
"What?" Serena asked, surprised. Her eyes went wide again.
"Please? I would feel much better if you would. He has to keep a low profile because if the Negaverse people find out he's still alive, they'll come after him, and kill him all over again. Serena, I couldn't bear it if I lost him a second time. And you're so clever, maybe you could help me figure out a good way to hide him, or something. I just don't think I can handle this all on my own. Will you please help me?" Molly clutched Serena's hands urgently, shaking them a bit. She searched her friend's blue eyes pleadingly.
Serena sighed, letting her shoulders slump. "Okay, Molly. But only because I'm worried about you. I don't completely trust this Nephlyte guy. He could be lying to you."
Molly smiled and shook her head. "I can promise you he's not. I trust him, and I trust his love for me. He told me he loves me, and I believe him."
"Can I come over later this evening, though? I've got detention, as usual, and then I've got to go to a study session with Amy. If I don't, I'll flunk the math test tomorrow for sure."
Molly nodded, smiling. "Sure. I'll see you after dinner, okay? Thanks, Serena."
"No problem," Serena grinned sheepishly. Then, she groaned as the lunch bell rang. "Lunch is over already? I barely had time to eat!"
Molly laughed and waved a quick goodbye to her friend. "I'll see you back in class, Serena."
Serena nodded, stuffing her lunch into her face. Her mind was racing. She couldn't believe that Nephlyte was back. This was BIG trouble for the Sailor Scouts. He knew her identity as Sailor Moon, and he knew how to defeat her. If he was lying to Molly, Serena could be walking into a trap. She looked up and spied Amy across the dell as she shoved her chocolate brownie down her throat.
"Amy!" Serena called, her voice muffled by the food. She swallowed and called out again.
The quiet, blue-haired girl paused and turned to wait for Serena.
"Hi, Serena. What's up?"
Serena lowered her voice so only Amy would hear. "Scout meeting right after school, at the temple. We have a major problem."
Amy nodded. "I'll call Raye on my communicator. You tell Lita."
"Right."
Molly jumped off the bus excitedly. She clutched her books to her chest and ran as fast as she could to the OSA.P jewelry store. She burst through the door, nearly knocking down a customer in the process.
"Molly!" her mother scolded from behind the counter.
"Sorry! Sorry, ma'am," Molly blushed. "Excuse me, Mama. I've got a lot of homework to get started on. Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. Serena's coming over after dinner to work on a project." It wasn't exactly a lie. Miss Haruna had given them a load of homework, but Molly wasn't planning on starting it anytime soon. And Serena would be paying a visit later on to help with a "project." She picked up her books from where they had fallen, and rushed upstairs, leaving her mother to stare after her.
Molly bounded up the stairs and down the hall to her room. She burst inside, flinging her books onto her bed. She stopped cold three paces in and looked around the room in surprise. It was clean. The bed had been made, the mess of papers in the corner straightened and piled neatly on her desk, the laundry placed neatly in her hamper. She scanned her room quickly, goosebumps rising on her arms. It was empty. She closed the door carefully behind her, clicking the lock into place. "Nephlyte?"
Nephlyte stepped from behind the partially closed closet door, causing Molly to jump. He rushed over to her and put his arms around her. "Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. I heard some noise outside and hid, because I wasn't sure who it was."
Molly smiled up at him. "I see you cleaned up."
"I had some time on my hands."
Molly laughed. She broke his embrace and plopped down on her bed. She pulled her legs up Indian-style and looked at him seriously. "What else did you get up to today?"
Nephlyte pulled Molly's chair out from her desk, flipped it around, and straddled it. "Not much, really. I did a lot of thinking, and ran a few errands. I visited my old home."
"Old home?" Molly asked.
"An abandoned mansion I'd set up residence in as Maxfield Stanton."
"Wasn't that dangerous? And how'd you get out of here without my mom seeing you?"
Nephlyte chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "Molly, Molly, Molly! Have you forgotten?"
Molly looked at him, her head tilted to one side.
Nephlyte stood up and held his arms open. "One, two, three," he said for effect, then disappeared.
"Nephlyte?" Molly called, her eyes wide. Two arms slithered around her waist from behind, pulling her into a tight embrace. She gasped and twisted her head around. Nephlyte knelt behind her on the bed, smirking.
"Oh, you!" Molly said, turning in his grasp and pushing on his chest lightly. Nephlyte leant back, toppling onto Molly's bed, pulling her along. She cried out, then flung her hands over her mouth, hoping her mother hadn't heard. Nephlyte lifted his head and kissed the backs of her hands, causing Molly to sigh and settle down against his chest. Her hands left her mouth and rested lightly below his collarbone. "I had forgotten," Molly said absently.
"I figured. Oh, how easily they forget the simplest of tasks, these humans."
"Nephlyte!" Molly cried, grinning. She pulled herself up and hopped off her bed. She turned to him, hands on her hips. She stared down at him, trying not to smile at the expression on his face. He looked like a lost puppy dog, which was something Molly would never have associated with the commanding man. His imploring gaze finally broke her resolve. She burst out laughing, doubling over and wrapping her arms around her belly. She glanced up to see Nephlyte grinning evilly. He caught her gaze and winked at her, causing Molly to laugh harder.
Nephlyte pushed himself into a sitting position and rose, his arms encircling Molly tightly. "Thank you," he whispered into her hair.
Molly's laughter died away and she looked up, meeting his gaze and searching his eyes. "For what?"
Nephlyte shook his head, a thin smile playing across his lips. He squeezed Molly tightly, then released her, resuming his place on her chair.
Molly plopped back down on her bed, dangling her legs over the edge. "What were we talking about?"
Nephlyte chuckled. "Our respective days."
"Right! So, why'd you go to your old house?"
"I wanted to get a few things from the old place, things that will be beneficial to me in the near future."
"Like?" Molly prompted, waving her hand in a circle impatiently.
"Money, ID, my drivers' license, birth certificate for Maxfield, important papers, things like that. Then, I went to the bank and put all my documents into my safety deposit box, and convinced the attendant that I had done it months ago."
"How'd you do that?"
Nephlyte grinned evilly. "I can be very... persuasive, when I need to be."
"You mean you hypnotized her."
Nephlyte nodded. "I didn't want to leave anything incriminating in the house. If Queen Beryl has any reason to think I'm still alive, that's more than likely the first place that will be searched. The Negaverse doesn't know my identity on Earth, but it's something that wouldn't be too difficult to figure out, if they had the right clues."
"So we don't have to do the secret thing?"
Nephlyte eyed her warily. "What do you mean, the secret thing."
"Well, you can move around freely in Tokyo, right? I mean, since the Negaverse doesn't know you're Maxfield Stanton. You can come and go as you please."
Nephlyte shook his head. " Maxfield Stanton has been missing for three weeks, remember? It might look suspicious for him to resurface now. I'm hoping I can lie low long enough for Sailor Moon and company to defeat Beryl. Then, I won't have to worry. What about you? How was school?"
Molly sighed. "School was school. Miss Haruna gave us a ton of homework, Melvin bugged me again, I had a big gossip session at lunch with Serena, the usual. Or at least, it used to be the usual. This is the first time I've been social in a while."
Nephlyte looked at her sadly, mentally cursing himself for causing her so much pain. He glanced at the clock on Molly's nightstand. "What time do you eat?"
"Six, why?" Molly turned to the clock. Her eyes went wide. "Oh my gosh, I'm gonna be late setting the table! I'll be back in a little while, and I'll try to bring you some of the leftovers." Molly jumped up, pecked Nephlyte on the cheek, and dashed down half a level of stairs, slamming the door in her wake. Nephlyte chuckled, and warded the door, so her mother wouldn't sneak up on him.