Haruka Tenno was at the track the day it happened. They guys had the radio on as cars weren't running this particular day. They were all working on a new engine design. The song they were listening to had been interrupted. "Queen Michiru Kaio of the Galactic Alliance has just given birth to a baby girl. The princess of Neptune weighed in at six pounds, five ounces. Her name is to be Aiko Kaio. This little beauty has blue hair with blonde highlights and a healthy set of lungs. More on this and other news latter in the hour." The announcer rattled off and then they were returned back to their song already in progress. Haruka paled and Bryan caught her eye. She smiled at him and continued working. Later that day as Haruka was cooking dinner they interrupted television for a press conference. The first thing they showed was a picture of Michiru in the hospital. Haruka's blood ran cold. She was hooked up to all kinds of machines and she was deathly pale. They then cut away to the press conference where Usagi, with Mamarou on her right, was seated next to Ami.

"The queen has been resting peacefully for the past hour. She went into labor early this morning and was rushed to the hospital. Complications did arise during the delivery but both mother and baby are doing fine." Ami reported.

"Is it true that the queen's heart actually stopped during delivery?" A reporter asked. Haruka's eyes became the size of dinner plates as she waited to hear the answer.

"Yes. The queen's heart did stop for three minutes but she was successfully resuscitated and is she is doing fine."

"Is the queen going to disappear from the sailor scouts like the queen of Uranus did just two years ago?" Ami looked over to Usagi.

"Queen Michiru has no intentions of leaving the alliance or the scouts. In fact, her resolve to make this world a better, safer place for all has never been stronger." Usagi answered.

"Can you confirm the rumors that Queen Haruka Tenno of Uranus is the, uhm, other parent of princess Aiko?" Again this question was fielded to Usagi.

"We have no comment on the parentage of the child." Was all she would say. Haruka breathed a sigh of relief. They were giving her the space she had asked for.

"Is it true that Queen Haruka is living in America under an alias?"

"No comment."

"Can you tell us if the Queen of Uranus will ever return to the Galactic Alliance?" Here Usagi looked out into the camera and it was as if she were looking right at Haruka.

"That is up to her." She stated in a firm but gentle tone.

"If there are no more questions about Queen Michiru and the Princess Aiko, this conference is over." Ami stated in a firm, fierce voice. Questions turned back to Aiko and Michiru then but the conference ended in another twenty minutes any way. Haruka went back to cooking dinner and she smiled inwardly. Her daughters were both healthy and Michiru was doing fine. Aiko would have Michiru and Storm would have her. She knew that it was screwed up but she knew that somehow things would be ok. After she put Storm in bed for the night she sat in the living room and dialed Usagi.

"Hello?" She said once she picked up.

"Usagi?" Haruka asked tentatively.

"Haruka?" Usagi asked.

"Yes."

"You must have heard the news then. I didn't really expect to hear from you this soon." Usagi stated sounding tired.

"I was at the track when the announcement came over the radio. I also caught the press conference." Haruka explained.

"Oh." Was Usagi's only response.

"Usagi, is Michiru really all right?" Haruka asked in a quiet, shaky tone. Usagi didn't answer right away.

"She will be. She lost a lot of blood and she's very weak. Ami was just sure we were going to loose her. But something pulled her back at the last minute and Ami says that she'll be just fine." Haruka had gone silent. Michiru had died, for three minutes Michiru had been dead and Haruka had been working on some engine. "Haruka? Haruka are you ok?" Haruka sniffled and nodded her head, then realizing Usagi couldn't see it she spoke.

"I'm fine. Usagi please tell me the truth, is Aiko mine?"

"Yes." Haruka broke down and cried, she actually sobbed and couldn't speak. "Haruka, why don't you come back to Japan? Come and see her, I'll give you a disguise if you really want one. Please?" Haruka's tears slowed and she gasped and sniffled furiously.

"All right, I'll come, but only for a few days." She said between sniffles. They hung up then and Haruka went to bed. She woke early the next morning and packed a tiny suitcase for Storm. Storm woke and stood in her crib.

"Ru?" She mumbled rubbing her eyes. She was only sixteen months old but she was starting to speak in short, simple terms. It was enough that she made it clear what she wanted. "Up!" She said raising her arms.

"Hello there smart girl." Haruka said in a cheerful tone. She came over to the crib and picked Storm up. "Guess what? You're going to stay with Uncle Bryan for a few days. Mommy has somewhere she needs to go. Don't you worry; I'll bring you back lots of presents." She said explaining. She then called Bryan while she gave Storm breakfast.

"Hello?" Bryan said cheerfully as he answered the phone.

"Good, you're up. I was afraid I'd wake you."

"Haruka, it's good to hear you in such a cheerful mood." Bryan laughed.

"I guess. Hey listen, I need a favor. I have to go out of town for a few days and I was wondering if Storm could stay with you?" She asked hurriedly.

"Let me ask Tammy ok?" Haruka heard him put the phone down then walk away a few steps. She heard him hollering and after another minute he came back on the line. "Yah she can stay with us. Haruka, I won't tell Tammy if you don't want me too but, your going to Japan aren't you?" He asked in a hushed tone.

"Yah. It's just for a few days. Usa thinks I should." Haruka explained.

"Of course. You going to talk to Michiru by chance?" Bryan asked.

"I don't know. I might. Hey look I have to go. I'll pack up Storms things and bring her over for lunch ok? And please, don't tell Tammy about Michiru and everything else ok?"

"Ok. I won't. Lunch sounds fine. See you then." He said and they hung up.

Late that night Usagi met Haruka at the airport. Only she didn't look like herself. She'd used the disguise pen and had to flag down Haruka. Usagi led Haruka into the bathroom and once satisfied they were alone, she changed Haruka's appearance. She now had shoulder length blonde hair and a slightly bigger chest. She looked at Usagi who had short Blonde hair and green eyes and raised an eyebrow. Usagi just shrugged.

"Thanks meat-ball head." Haruka muttered quietly sounding sincere. Usagi nodded and they went straight to the hospital. Usagi changed back to normal in a bathroom while Haruka stood watch. Usagi then lead her past the guards to Michiru's private room. Haruka stopped outside the door going pale. "Usa, I don't think I can do this. Can I just see the baby? Can you bring her out to me or something?" She asked in a frantic tone of voice. Usagi pulled Haruka into a hug and sighed. "I'm sorry but she can't leave the room. She was born nearly three months early. Her lungs aren't fully developed. She's in an incubator." Haruka sighed and nodded. She followed Usagi into the room. Ami was there checking on Michiru who was asleep, and Minako was also there. She sat up in her chair as Usagi entered.

"Hey Usa, I'm glad you're here." She trailed off as she saw Haruka. Her eyes narrowed. "Who's this?" She asked skeptically.

"A friend of mine." Was all Usagi said. Mina just pursed her lips and leaned back in her chair. Haruka was drawn to the incubator. She just stared down at the small bundle of baby inside. She was beautiful. She looked so much like Storm did when Storm was born. There was a mass of blue hair atop her cute little head that was streaked with blonde. Haruka put a hand in and touched that small hand. Her skin was so soft. She smiled down at the child. Minako stood up then and left the room suddenly looking pissed off. Haruka looked over her shoulder at Usagi who nodded and smiled. Haruka glanced at Michiru who was still asleep. Ami had finished her exam and she now stood with Usagi talking in hushed tones. She glanced at Haruka and left. Usagi sat down in the chair and looked out the window. Haruka looked back down at Aiko.

"Hey there my sweet Aiko. You don't know me and I apologize for that." Haruka sniffed. "I just want you to know that both of your parents love you very much. You won't see both of them. But you will be loved. And your mom is, amazing." Haruka sniffed and stopped talking. She just stared at the baby. Just then there was a commotion over by the bed.

"Michiru." Usagi said glancing back at Haruka. Michiru glanced to where Haruka was standing. Her eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Who are you?" She asked skeptically.
"This is a friend of mine." Usagi explained. Michiru looked back at Usagi and then back to Haruka.

"I'm sorry; it's just that you resemble someone I use to know." Michiru stated in a dry scratchy voice.
"I'll go get you some water." Usagi said and disappeared out the door. Haruka stared after her in dismay. She looked back at Michiru and smiled.

"I, uh, hear that your heart stopped. What would you say was it that made you come back?" Haruka asked in a high pitched voice.

"Love and hope." Michiru said earnestly. "I knew that my baby would need me, she won't have anyone else. And, maybe I'm a fool but, deep inside, I hope that true love really does conquer all." Haruka just swallowed hard and her eyes widened.

"I, uh, I have to go." She said quickly and ran for the door. She met Usagi in the hallway. "I can't do this." She said quietly. Usagi just nodded and took the water she was carrying into Michiru. She returned after a few minutes and the two women headed for the palace.