Endymion and Jadeite had been looking for whatever the trap could be. Unable to find anything along the path they believed the arsonist had taken Endymion sent Jadeite back to help extinguish the fire, which had been much more out of control than the first. Endymion slowly starts to follow the path further hoping to find the arsonist along the way. While traveling further down the path, Endymion could start to hear the hooves of an approaching horse. Wanting to get off the path just in case whoever was approaching was a danger he starts moving off the path. Right before he reaches the trees he becomes immediately concerned when he quickly begins to sink.
Riding as fast as she can, Rei quickly reaches the guards who had just stopped the fire. After telling them what had happened they point her towards Endymion's path while they mount their own horses. Flying down the path she arrives just in time to see some fingers sinking into the ground. Working quickly she grabs the rope she always keeps in her saddlebag. She ties one end around her waist and the other to a sturdy tree, and then she dives.
Gasping for breath Endymion and Rei pull themselves up from the ground. Jadeite and Nephrite grab their hands and pull them out completely. They lay on the ground panting for a few seconds before Endymion looks over at Rei.
"Not that I'm not incredibly happy to see you right now, but what are you doing here?"
"We found out it was a trap so I came to make sure you were okay." Endymion gives her a confused look.
"And how did you find out it was a trap." Rei gives him a nervous look.
"Don't freak out." They both stand up, dusting themselves off.
"And why would I freak out?" Rei tries to make herself look as calm as possible.
"Before I tell you I just want to be clear that both Serenity and the baby are okay." Endymion instantly takes a worried expression.
"Rei what's going on?" Rei takes a deep breath and tells him what had happened causing Endymion to, of course, freak out.
"Serenity!" Still sitting in the cell with Mina, Ami, Luna, and Artemis, Serenity perks up at the sound of Endymion's voice.
Lita stands and unlocks the cell just as Endymion comes rushing down the stairs.
Endymion comes rushing into the cell, pulls Serenity up and crushes her to him, careful not to crush the baby. Breathing in her scent he closes his eyes as everyone else slowly disperses.
Falling into his embrace Serenity starts shaking from her sobs. Endymion starts rubbing soothing circles on her back and whispers soothing things to her eventually calming Serenity down. He picks up the sniffling Serenity bridal style. Serenity's arms wrapping around his neck and her face burrowing into his chest. He slowly carries her to their bedroom and gently lays her on the bed. He lays beside her and gently pulls her close. Rubbing circles on her swollen stomach Serenity eventually falls into deep slumber.
Once he is sure Serenity will be asleep for a while Endymion slowly extracts himself. Walking quickly he arrives to the meeting room where his guards are already waiting for him.
"How the hell did this guy get in?" Endymion asks going straight to the point. The guards give each other meaningful looks. Malachite speaks first.
"We have no idea, none of the guards saw him enter or leave. But, Endymion, something else has happened." Endymion looks shocked and exasperated.
"What else could have possibly happened?" The guards all start looking sheepish.
"Ummm, well, Emerald may have escaped."
"WHAT!" Endymion roars.
"We have reason to believe that this was Sapphire's plan all along." Zoisite says. Endymion collapses on a chair and starts grabbing at his hair roughly.
"At least tell me we have some idea of where they could be!" Endymion says, looking as though he was on the verge of a breakdown.
"We have sent a team to search the area and around Swan Lake, but besides that we have no idea." Jadeite says, looking grim.
"So you are telling me that not only can this man apparently can enter and leave the palace without being detected, but he also released a woman who has sworn to get revenge for Diamond and we have no way to find them?" He stands up, walks over to the wall and hits it. He starts to pace, trying to think of what to do next. When he speaks his tone leaves no room for argument.
"Our first priority is Serenity. She is not to leave the palace walls and she is to have someone armed with her at all times. We need to assume that she is their target. In the meantime I want everyone who is available searching for them. Lastly, under no circumstances is Serenity to find out about any of this. She is stressed out enough as it is. Am I understood?" The guards all nod in response.
They start planning their search when Serenity enters the room. She stands in the doorway almost looking like a small child who had just woken up from a nightmare. Still clearly drowsy and eyes still red and puffy from her earlier tears.
"Serenity? What are you doing up sweetheart? You should be resting." Serenity gives a little sniffle.
"I woke up and you weren't there." Endymion walks over and kisses the top of her head and gently wraps an arm around her waist.
"I'm sorry sweetheart, I didn't mean to scare you." He starts to lead her out of the room. "Come on, let's go back to bed." Serenity nods at him and they slowly walk back to their room.
AN: Sorry for the lateness. I'll try to update again as soon as I can. And a thank you to whoever left the review, I appreciate it. And also thank you to stephie 23 I'll try not to keep you waiting to long ;) Seriously though I plan to finish this up before the end of the summer (at the very latest)
P.S. I would have updated sooner this on 3/25 but fanfiction wouldn't let me edit any of my stories for awhile there. I'm almost done with the next chapter so I will hopefully be updating in the next week.