Author Notes: Thank you Minako for your constructive feed back and continue beta reading of my story. I hope everyone enjoys the next chapter in Fallen Angels.

Against Fate

An uneasy silence hung in the air as neither Lita or Trista spoke. So it was Darien who spoke instead.

"Either of you going to let us in on what's going on?"

"It's nothing." Lita answered.

"Lita?" Serena move toward her but the taller girl's posture stopped her.

"Please just leave it alone." Her green eyes begged them to understand. "We should look at all our options and I mean it." Lita's look told Trista that it wasn't a suggestion but a demanded.

"Of course." Trista gave a nodded as Lita left the room. Leaving three very baffled people in her departure.

"Trista?" Ami asked, Trista's eyes had moved to the floor, her face etched with sadness.

"Can someone please tell me what's going on?" Serena said.

"We can speak of this more tomorrow. We will not do anything until Hotaru is with us. I am tired and it has been a very long day." Trista said, putting an end to the conversation and any chance of learning what the two had been speaking of.

"Alright I'll show you to your room." Darien gestured for the tall woman to follow him.

"Thank you my King, till morning my Queen." Trista gave a small nod before scooping up Sailor Uranus' sword and following Darien from the room. Ami sat back down as Serena crumbled on the couch.

"That went smoothly." Luna mumbled from where she lay on the footrest.

Ami gave a weak nod of agreement before saying. "It's been a hard night."

"This is just awful." Serena whiped at her tears while mentally yelling at herself for acting like a baby. Still she couldn't stop from crying, it was just too much. Her life seemed to be crumbling apart.

"Oh Serena, it'll be fine." Luna tried to smile but Serena could tell she was just as worried as her. After all Trista had just told them nothing was for sure, if they couldn't fix the Gate of Time everything might be lost. Serena didn't want to think like that, but she always thought things would work out. What if they didn't? What would she do if Mina never came home or they never found Raye.

"Stop it Serena." Luna scolded as if she had read her mind.

"We have two enemies, one from the future. They have everything planned and know everything. We on the other hand have three people missing and one member kidnapped for who knows what. Oh and those of us left are falling apart at the seams." Serena bitterly shot back.

"And you lost everyone when you faced off with Sailor Galaxia but you still were victorious and you will be again." Luna reminded.

"What if Mina's already dead? I can't save her if she's already dead."

"Serena we have all died before." Ami calm reminded. "We always come back."

"This is different, what if I can't. I mean-"

"We can't think like that. You can't think like that. You need to be strong." Darien said slipping quietly back into the room. Once again he peered out the window, to be sure nothing was out of place.

"Beside we have the Guardian of Time on our side. She knows a lot about this future enemy. She even knows how we defeated them. I'm sure she will tell us more if we can't fix the gate of time." Luna suggested.

"You're probably worrying over nothing anyways. With the crystal you'll free the Gate of Time. Then Trista can go back and everything will be set right." Ami added.

"What about Lita?" Serena asked still unsure why Lita had been so determined to make Trista look at other options.

"That could be a problem. She seemed really determined that it was a bad idea to rewriting time." Darien seemed to ponder this.

"Could it be that she's scared of losing her boyfriend or the store?" Luna's head rose and Serena nodded. She hadn't even thought about Lita's boyfriend. Lita had been so worried about his safety.

"A guy and a store isn't a good reason to doom the world." Ami coldly snapped.

"But love is." Serena looked toward Darien who gave a grimace. They both knew how powerful love could be. Did this man mean that much to Lita? Serena didn't want to hurt Lita.

"Who is to say they won't still meet. After all Trista didn't say Lita wouldn't meet this mystery guy. Besides, some of us have already paid the price." Ami's face become twisted with pain and anger.

"Ami, I'm sorry. I didn't think about Greg." Serena had been so wrapped up about Lita she'd forgotten all about Ami loses.

"She didn't really say much about what would change or what would stay the same." Darien muttered. "Anyway, we'll need to keep alert incase the enemy tries to move against us."

"I can take the first Guard." Ami said as she put away the last of her medical gear. Darien nodded as Luna scurried across the floor and on to the window sill.

"Better two then one. Beside my ears are much keener." Serena knew Luna was right. After all the enemy could attack form any angle.

"Alright, Luna and I will take the first watch. Why don't you two go get some sleep and I'll send an update to Hotaru."

"Thanks Ami." Darien lead Serena back upstairs but as they passed Lita's room Serena stopped. The lights were off and the door closed. Serena debated if she should go inside and speak with Lita. Darien stopped at the end of the hallway, letting her make the choice. Lita had made it clear she didn't want to speak about it, but still something was tearing her friend up. Serena quietly moved to the door and open it. Pocking her head inside she made out Lita's silhouette in one of the sofa chairs.

"Lita, do you need anything before we go to bed?"

"No." Lita harshly answered.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." Lita's eyes were locked on the near by window.

"Lita talk to me." Serena moved to take a seat on the bed. Lita didn't answer so Serena sat there in silence, not ready to give up.

"Is it about your boyfriend?"

"Sort of."

"I'm sure things will turn out alright."

"I'm sure they will." Lita's voice betrayed that she didn't think that at all.

"Lita, I'm sure he belongs in your future."

"Don't worry about it. I'll talk to Pluto."

"Do you love him?" "Yes."

"We'll make it right. I promise you won't lose him." Serena added, Lita gave a weak nod. After a long moment Serena left the room, conflicted by the decision ahead of her.

Serena didn't sleep well, dreams turning into nightmares. All night she tossed and turned. Ever time she closed her eyes she saw her friend slipping away and the world falling to darkness. Waking yet again she found the room was dim, but the brightness indicated it was indeed morning. Normally she slept in, but their was no peace in sleeping. Not today.

The spot next to her was empty. Darien had either gotten up earlier or he taken over for Ami and Luna.

"Didn't sleep well did you." Serena found Luna sitting on the window sill.

"No."

"Sure you don't want to go back to sleep. It's just past six."

"I don't think it will do any good. Beside what sort of example would I be showing the others if I sleep in." she tried to give a little laugh but it came out more of a sob.

"You need your strength, Serena." Luna informed the blonde.

"I know, how is your side feeling?" "Sore."

"I'm sorry you got hurt." "It wasn't your fault."

"I'm going to take a shower."

The hot water did nothing to chases away the bad dreams or sooth her fear. She had to be strong she repeated over and over again. Exiting the bathroom she found Luna had left.

The lovely day outside mocked her pain. Dressing in a simple pink shirt and pants she left her room. Walking past Lita's room she found the door ajar. Poking her head inside she found there was no one inside.

Figures she would still be the last to get up. Descending the stairs she noticed the scent of coffee and pancakes hanging in the air. Entering the kitchen she found Luna lapping milk form a dish.

"Good morning, my lady." Trista said as she entered the kitchen. The tall woman was dressed in her typical purple business suit. She had a cup of coffee in her hand but was oblivious to it as she stared out into the backyard. Most of her injuries were concealed, but the bruise on her face looked ever darker today.

"Did you sleep well?" Serena asked before she could ask the same question.

"No." was her blunt answer. "Lita prepared us a meal." she indicated to a silver tray with a lid on it.

"Great." Serena normally would have dived into the meal but she wasn't hungry. Still she had to eat, to keep her strength up. Opening the dish she found a pile of pancakes. Serena poured herself a glass of milk before joining Trista at the table. Trista didn't speak, instead her gaze set on a distant point outside or maybe she was just thinking.

As they sat there Serena didn't know what to ask or say. She had a thousand questions but she still didn't feel comfortable asking any of them. After all Trista would limit what they were told to prevent further impact to the future. Most of all she wanted to ask about Lita and if her boyfriend was in the future. Before she could get up the guts, Darien entered the room.

"I got the day off." Darien informed, one look at his face told Serena something was very wrong.

"Is everything ok?" Luna asked clearly picking it up too. "It's fine." Darien kept his back to Serena but she knew he was lying to her. He never liked to look her in the eye when he lied. Raye's voice echoed in her head, 'he's probably about to get fired from missing so much work due to having to come and save you all the time.

"So it's okay you missed so much work… coming to help me?" Serena asked.

"It really doesn't matter, we've got bigger things to worry about." "I'll take that as a no."

"Serena don't worry about it."

"What about the bills? How are we-" "I've got enough in savings to cover us for now."

"What about next month?" "Well cross that road later."

"I'm so sorry."

"It not your fault, none of it is. Besides it's just a job, we got the world to worry about." Serena bit her lip.

"Princess why don't you check on your family, it might easy your soul." Trista suggested and Serena rose. She'd not even thought about them yet.

Serena had debated for a long time last night, if she should tell her parents the truth. Of course she would wait until they attempted to go back in time and fix thing.

What if it didn't work? The enemy could come after Sammy or her parents. Even if they did tell them the truth, how would they keep them safe? What could they ask them to do, go into hiding?

Serena attempted to hide any fear or worry form her voice as she dialed her parent number. As she expected it was her mom who picked up.

She was clearly confused as to why Serena was up so earlier and calling her but seemed happy to hear from Serena. Serena wanted to ask if anyone strange had been seen near the houses but knew how odd that would be. Not to mention it leaded to questions she just wasn't ready to answer. Instead Serena talked about ideal conversation acting as if nothing was wrong. Still when she ended the conversation her mother said to be careful and stay safe. She knew something was wrong, but not what.

Sammy wasn't as thrilled about the early call, as he worked the night shifted but on hearing her worry his anger fade. The conversation became more of an interrogation as he tried to pry what was wrong form her. She misdirected him by saying that Darien was having trouble at work and she was just worried.

He seemed to accept this very quickly and Serena was surprised. She thought of asking about it but decided to let it drop for now. She didn't need to get dragged down by other issues.

Returning to the kitchen she found that Darien had finished putting the dishes in the washer and Luna was looking out the window.

"Where are Ami and Lita?" Serena had not seen either yet.

"They went over to Lita's house." Darien answered.

"What?" Serena didn't hide her fear.

"Lita had to get some clothes and other things. Don't worry Ami's with her." Luna said.

"So they attacked three of us the last time."

"At night," Luna gently reminded her. "Right now it's broad daylight with tons of people around Serena." Luna reminded. "When has that stopped them before!" Serena spat.

"Serena, we can't stay next to each other 24/7. Besides she needed to get some air." Darien's eyes were on Trista and Serena knew something must have happened before she woke up.

"So?" Serena eyed Trista.

"It is nothing you need to worry about." Trista answered.

"I was hope for a little more information then that." Darien demanded resting his hand on the counter while locking Trista with a sapphire glaze.

"You know I am bound by the rules of time. I have spoken with Lita about it."

"What about?" Serena asked, trying to sound as friendly as possible.

"It is personal."

"That's helpful." Darien snapped as the phone rang. "Hello." he asked more angry then he should have.

"Serena it's for you." Serena moved taking the phone form Darien.

"Miss Shield." Serena instantly recognized the voice of Dr. Lorean and her breath catch in her throat. She had total forgotten about the appointment from yesterday.

"Come on Trista its affecting our team. What's up?" Darien asked. That was the last thing she heard as Serena moved down the hallway.

"Have you spoken with you husband?"

"No, but this isn't a good time."

"Serena."

"I know, I know, but right now is not good. Were going to be out of town, I'll call you when we get back."

"What? You can't."

"I'll call you, I promise." she turned the phone off and listened to the static of her stomach in knots. The doctor was right, she couldn't ignore it but Sailor Moon had too. Sailor Moon had to be stronger.

"Who was that?" Darien question from where he was looking at her at the end of the hallway.

"No one." she forced a smile on her face, but instantly saw the hurt on Darien face. She never could fool him.

"Really, it was no one?" he asked. "Didn't sound like no one."

"Just a friend."

"Who? I didn't recognize the voice." Serena felt angry at being interrogated by her husband.

"George." Serena snapped and Darien's face turned to a scowl.

"George who, Serena?" Serena hadn't tried to hide it was a lie.

"A friend."

"A friend." he snapped.

"Yes a friend." Serena didn't like lying to Darien but she knew what would happen if she told him.

"Princess are you okay?" Trista asked. The woman moved to stare at her and she felt as if she was peering right through her.

"I'm fine, why?"

"You seem upset and, well not yourself." "I'm just stressed out. So can we just let it drop?"

"Alright for now. I wish to travel to the Gate of Time now."

"What, but we, you said." Serena didn't hide her surprise or confusion, neither did Darien.

"What about the others? Darien asked.

"Lita will be safe with Ami."

"What of Houtra?" Serena questioned.

"If we break through and gain access to the Gate of Time, it won't matter. As everything will be corrected."

"Didn't you say you wanted to go together." Serena reminded.

"You said it might be a trap and we need everyone we have." Darien added.

"I changed my mind. It is best we do this now, without Lita." Luna studied the group as she came up the hallway.

"What's your problem with Lita?" Darien asked. Serena watched the Outer Sailor Scout with confusion. Had Lita's love drove this wedge between her and the Guardian of Time? Did Pluto think she would risk everything to save him, even the world?

"I will only say her loyalties are divided right now."

"Divided?" Luna didn't hide her disbelief at this statement. "Where else could Lita's loyalties lay but at the Princess side, unless you think."

"Her loyalties are unquestionable to the Princess, but there is another matter."

"What matter? The fact she loves her boyfriend? Do you really think she might risk?" Serena, couldn't stand this.

"It will be easier on her this way. If all goes as planned things will be set in order and none of this will matter."

"But-"

"Ever moment we wasted the enemy could come or other innocents might be hurt."

"I want to know that Lita will have love in the future."

"She will have love in the future." that was too simple Serena didn't know if she was lying or just was referring to another love.

"You're not telling me everything." Serena stomped her foot down. This was insane, they couldn't all just hide things from her.

"You are acting like a child." Pluto didn't even flinch as she glared at her.

"No." Serena crossed her arms over her chest, a stubborn look on her face. "I'm the Queen."

"Formally you are still a Princess my lady but we must act. If you do not wish to come I will go back alone." Serena stare surprise at this statement.

"But you couldn't break it, you need the crystal."

"I will do what I must."

"This isn't really just about a boyfriend it is?" Darien questioned but Trista gave no clues if he was right.

"Why won't you tell me?" Serena asked.

"Serena please. Some things are better not known. You do not want this on your chest." Serena let go of the anger that she felt, conflicted to how she should answer it. Darien remained quiet as he clearly didn't know how to take this news.

"None of you want this burden." now Serena felt bad for Trista.

"Trista, if only you would explain." Luna asked.

"I can handle it." Serena reach out touching the woman's arm but she jerked it away.

"No! Now are you going to help me or not? Everything we know is at stake. Mina, Michelle, and Amara may have already paid the price. Should we wait or waiver everything could be lost. What is your choice?"

"We don't really have a choice do we?" Darien commented. Serena knew he was right, as usual. They couldn't risk the world, not even for Lita. Serena didn't want to break her word to Lita.

"She will be happy and know love?" Serena asked.

"Yes."

"Alright. I just hope you know what your doing." Serena felt like she had betrayed Lita's trust. Still this was the only choice, wasn't it? If they didn't they'd be gambling with all their futures. Beside in the future they knew everything was good. They were happy. Her friend were happy, weren't they?

Serena tried to push the question away. This was the right choice. Pulling off her broach, there was a flash of light as she called out the words that were engraved in her heart Moon Eternal, Make-up! Sailor Moon glance to her left to find Tuxedo Mask standing at her side as always. Super Sailor Pluto just across form her with Luna near her feet.

"I'm ready to go when you are." Tuxedo Mask said. Serena gave a nod and Pluto lifted her key. In a flash of purple they found themselves engulfed by mist. Thankful they hadn't been drawn to another location, ambushed by the Ensnare yet again.

"This way." Pluto took the lead, somehow knowing which way to go. Each of them kept their eyes open for any sign of the enemy or a trap but nothing seemed to be out of place. Finally the silhouette of the Gate of Time emerged from the mist, but Pluto stopped a few yards from it.

"We should go no closer." Pluto warned. "Please use the Silver Crystal and attempt to free the gate."

"Ok." Sailor Moon prepared herself. In a flash the crystal appeared floating between her outstretched hands. As always Darien was at her side, ready to defend and support her.

"You can do it." Luna added form near her feet..

"Let hope this work."

"Trust in yourself." Trista said. Serena felt the sleeping energy in the crystal. As she called to it, the crystal grew hot. With startling speed a jet of silver energy cascaded forward from the crystal impacting with the dark crystal that incased the gateway. Serena was deafened by the loud cracking and splitting noise that echoed out from the gate.

Only through the edge of her vision did she see Pluto dodge a black shard. The silver energy and dark crystal fought, for each foot of crystal that vanished more took it place. Serena focused her mind on what she was fighting for. Her friends, her family, everything she cared about.

The crystal power grew and the other crystal waned. The silver light rushed forward, as the crystal that held it at bay vanished.

"I did it." Sailor Moon said feeling very weak but happy. Darien caught her in his strong arms.

"Good job." Darien kept her tight in his arms as he smiled at her.

"What's that?" Luna's comment drew both their eyes upward. Two strange glowing threads were coiled around the Gate of Time. Each seemed to be wrapped around the door many time over. One glowed a soft gold and the other silver. Some of the black crystal was already reforming around a few section of the thread.

"I will." Serena rose ready to launch a second attack.

"No, you must not attack again Princess!" Sailor Pluto blocked her path.

"But." Serena asked but she shook her head.

"No, we're lucky you didn't damage them already." Sailor Pluto answered. Moving forward she stroked the silver thread and Serena felt a shiver run up her spine.

"What are they?" Darien asked.

"These are the threads of Fate, to be more precise, yours. We're lucky your attack didn't destroy them. If you had, you both would be dead. It would seem fate has betrayed us."

"Fate can betray us?" Serena asked as she peered at a thread already being consumed once again by the black crystal.

"Sailor Fate can."

"Kill us." Darien coldly said, after a moment had slipped by.

"What?" both Luna and Serena said in shock.

"Kill us and go back and put thing right.' "I wish it were that easy my King, but without a thread of Fate you would simple vanish. She has made it impossible."

"Was Sailor Fate on the Sailor team who guarded the cell?" Darien asked.

"Yes, at least I know how it got open." Sailor Pluto answered.

"There has to be away to….well make them disappear." Luna inquired.

"Only Fate can summon them or call them back into the void. This add a grave new danger. She can also manipulate Fate through the threads."

"You mean she can just change our Fate?" Serena felt dread rising up in her.

"No it is not that simple. She can use the Call of Fate to effect you. You may second guess yourself. Your action, your destiny could all seem hopeless or pointless. Luckily the power is taxing and keeping those thread of Fate on our plan will drain her power."

"Then we'll just have to defeat her." Serena declared.

"Good luck with that!" a voice caused them all to look around. "I was so hope you would kill yourselves off."

"Show yourself." Pluto glared into the mist in the direction the voice had occurred.

"I don't think so, not yet. Like you said it is taxing, but it works none the less."

"You traitor!" Pluto unleashed her death scream, clearing a path through the mist. A figure darted out of the way vanishing once again into the mist.

"That wasn't very loving." again she sent her attack but once again the figure vanished.

"Let do this together." Darien said.

"No stay out of this. I will handle her." Sailor Pluto declared.

"We're a team." Sailor Moon touch Pluto's arm and she looked back at her. A mix of emotions plastered on her normal calm face.

"Another time, see you world side." there was a barely visible flash in the distant mist.

"Count on it." Pluto hissed. "There is nothing we can do here."

"You know her?" Darien asked, there was a flash of purple and Serena found herself back home.

"How could you!" they turned to find Lita and Ami standing behind them.

"I had no choice." Sailor Pluto answered, as Lita moved forward to attack Sailor Pluto, Darien step in the way.

"You said you would wait. You said we would look at other options!"

"It doesn't matter, we can not change time." Sailor Pluto answered.

"It matters a hell of a lot to me!"

"Lita?" Serena move toward her. "Please don't be mad"

"I attempted to make this as painless as possible. Had it worked you would have remembered nothing."

"You had no right! You lied to me."

"So we should not have tried to go back in time, is that what you're saying?"

"There are other roads."

"Who told you that?"

"What's going on?" Darien again asked.

"Stay out of this Darien." Lita attempted to shove him out her way but he didn't move. "You tried to murder her!"

"I made the decision you did not want to make and I understand this choices. I do not blame you for acting as a mother. But you have no right to ask me not to act as the Guardian of Time."

"Mother?" Serena whispered, suddenly it all made sense.

"Lita, you're pregnant?" Ami clearly was as surprised as her.

"And she knew it and still tried to go back and kill her."

"Trista." Serena look up at the other woman whose face remained emotionless. "You tried to kill Lita's baby?"

"Time must be corrected, I told you it was my burden. If I knew how to save your child and correct time I would do so, but you were not meant to have a child, not now. I tried to easy your pain by letting you…."

'You cold hearted monster!"

"Lita, why didn't you tell us?" Darien asked his face washed in anguish at the idea of Lita losing her child. Serena moved forward, embracing her friend in a strong hug. Lita was trembling in her grip.

"I can't believe this." Ami said looking at Sailor Pluto.

"What would you have me do? Condemn the world to darkness for one child." With that she turned, leaving the group and heading down the hallway.

Well what you do think? I got only one review on the last chapter and truth be told I was a little sad because of it. Any feedback is good feedback in my book. I mean if the story boring or not interesting I need to know that. Maybe you just confused, then tell me I have total losted you. Anything, it's the only way I am going to improve my writing and learn so I can due better next time around. Thank Dream Guardian.