True love 10

It was nearly 2 in the afternoon before Haruka returned to the palace. She had to call Bryan and let him know what was going on. She went and sat in a private office and called him from her cell. He answered on the second ring.

"Haruka where have you been, what's going on? The tabloids are having a field day with some sort of press conference you were in?"

"There was a press conference yesterday. I caught the beginnings of it and teleported over in the middle of it. That's where I am now, the palace in Tokyo. I apparently have a son with Usagi that she never told me about."

"What? Doesn't she need you're consent to do that?"

"No, well, Bryan there are other ways, at least for the senshi. You probably wouldn't believe me if I told you any way. I've decided to stay here. It's well beyond time. I'm keeping the big house in Talladega and I was hoping you could look after it for me? It would be a huge favor but I want it to be lived in and kept up, it's nicer dropping in to a house that feels lived in than one that's been empty. It's a great house for parties and visitors and everything."

"All right but what about your contract with Bush?"

"Usagi is trying to buy it for me or work something out with them." Haruka explained.

"Ok well keep in touch alright? Tammy and I are really going to miss you."

"You know I will. I'm going to miss you too but it's been great working with you, you're the best mechanic and crew chief I've had the pleasure of working with but this is something I have to do." Haruka sighed.

"I understand and I'm glad to hear it really but I am going to miss you and miss being you're mechanic. You were always so much fun to with and play with."

Haruka laughed and hung up. She sat in the chair a few moments thinking before she called Storm.

"Storm?" Haruka asked when the phone clicked but nothing was said.

"Mom?" Storm asked out of breath.

"Is this a bad time?" Haruka asked.

"It's lunch time. I was just running to get there. I can talk. Mom I've seen some beyond weird tabloids lately."

"I can imagine. That's why I called. Can I come and see you tomorrow? I'll explain everything." Haruka thought it would be better to do it in person.

"Yah. We get out at noon on Fridays, we are supposed to use the time to practice but I'd like to see you." Storm said sounding happy at the idea.

"All right smart-girl, I'll see you tomorrow at noon." Haruka hung up and took the sheaf of papers she had and went to see Usagi.

Usagi looked up and held a hand for quiet.

"Yes. Yes I'm sure we can work something out. Of course, thank you ever so much." She said smiling and hanging up the phone looking at Haruka intently. "They've agreed to change the terms of your contract. Instead of driving, they've agreed to letting you be a spokesperson."

"Thank you Usagi I can't even tell you how much." She said returning the Queen's smile with one of her own. "I have to go and see Storm tomorrow. I've already called her I'll teleport to her and I have to stop by the big house and pack up a few things to be shipped here. I'll take a plane back. Do you know a good relater?"

"I do but you don't need one. When I had the palace built I mimicked the design of the first one, with the crystals help. It has an apartment for each of the senshi. Yours and Michiru's are built side by side. They are separate but could just as easily be combined into one, there's only one wall separating them. Given the circumstances I thought it might be best to leave the options open. I always thought that the two of you would work things out. I never knew a couple more secure in each other growing up than perhaps my earthly parents. You and Michiru were the one thing I thought for sure would work out. It gave me hope for Mamoru and I. I guess its funny how things can change so unexpectedly."

"This is a wonderful place bunny. You've done very well, better than I ever imagined you could if you'll forgive me saying so. I'm proud of you." Haruka said haltingly. She knew that she should start being more open but it just wasn't easy for her. Usagi seemed to understand.

"Thank you Ruka-chan. I'll make arrangements for your flight back & have the staff air out the apartment." Haruka nodded and stood.

"I'm going to catch a nap and then I'm going to find our son and see if he wants to go for a hamburger." She stated yawning. Usagi nodded.

"Take him to the crowne arcade. I told him about it but haven't had the chance to take him yet."

"Ok. Why don't you and Chibi-usa come too?" Haruka offered. Usagi smiled and nodded.

"How's 6:30 sound?" She asked.

"Sounds great, I'll see you then." Haruka nodded and went and crashed out in the guest room she'd stayed in yesterday.

She woke up at six pm to a knock at the door. "Come in." She called sitting up and running her hand through her hair. Mamoru entered and sat heavily in the chair beside her bed. Haruka sat on the edge of the bed and looked him over. "What's on your mind?" She asked.

"Are you trying to steal Usagi's heart?" He asked bluntly.

"I'm not trying to steal anything. I'm finally trying to do the right thing. Usagi is my friend and we have a son together. I invited her and Chibi to have dinner with her son and I, nothing more than that." Haruka stated calmly and clearly.

"You know you've done it already anyway."

"Mamoru, I never planned on steeling her. I never even planned on sleeping with her really. I certainly never planned on leaving Michiru, I never really planned on a lot of things but they happened anyway. Things have never really been the same between the two of you, have they?" She asked brusquely.

"No, they never really were. I wonder if she took me back because she just didn't want to be alone."

"Why'd you leave her? Tell me the truth, you're a terrible liar." Haruka demanded point blank. Mamarou just shook his head and sighed.

"It was never supposed to go as far as it did. It was only supposed to make her realize we needed change and I thought a little jealousy would do the trick."

"Who was supposed to realize change and what was supposed to make her jealous?" Haruka's pulse dropped and her eyes narrowed as she waited to hear what she'd suspected all along.

"The affair; It was only suppose to be a couple dinner dates; just until we got spotted. I just wanted to make her jealous."

"Just how much farther than planned did it go?" Haruka asked not really sure she wanted to know the truth.

"A lot further." Mamoru sounded honestly miserable.

"You don't happen to have any illegitimate children running around out there do you?"

"No, she was already pregnant. I came back here before we had to worry about that." He whispered. Haruka's heart and stomach both hit the floor.

"You slept with Michiru?" Mamoru simply nodded, not daring to look at her. Haruka's face and heart hardened as she glared at him.

"You were having an affair with my wife while I was still here?" She asked coldly.

"It was pretend while you were here, it didn't escalate until after you left. You cheated on her with that American racing guru." He countered angrily.

"Because I thought quite rightly that she was cheating on me! Mamoru how could you do something like that to Usagi? It would destroy her. Why can't you see how fragile and special Usagi really is? You use to protect her; show her off like a prize. It use to piss me off but it showed that you cared which lately, it looks even less like you do or ever did." Mamoru hung his head.

"I don't know. I was curious about life with someone else. Usagi is amazing; I know that, I do. She and I are so different. I wondered how it would be with someone else better suited." Haruka frowned fiercely and shook her head in distaste.

"She wasn't free and neither were you. Trying to make Usagi jealous? How childish are you? I thought that was her M.O."

"No more than you cheating on Michiru in retaliation." Mamoru countered angrily.

"You romanced Michiru. You slept with my wife!" Haruka growled furiously.

"Turn-a bout's fair play. You slept with mine!" He growled back just as angry.

"Fine. We're both idiots. What do you plan on doing about it? Is it over between you and Michiru?" Haruka asked pointedly.

"Yes. No. I don't know!" Mamoru seemed truly at war with himself.

"Does Usagi know about it?" Haruka asked.

"She has to have figured it out." He stated.

"Does she have it from your mouth? Because if not, you know damn well she'd give you the benefit of the doubt."

"I never told her directly. I've dropped hints though."

"Tell her directly Chiba Mamoru, and make up your mind. I can't even remember my life without Michiru in it. She's no longer willing to work things out with me, if ever she was. I've been a fool for letting it get this far. I respect Usagi and I love Michiru. I could easily love Usagi if she were available. You decide, I'm tired of being the one screwing things up." Haruka leveled with him and stood. "I'm going to take my friends and my son to dinner tonight. So I advise you talk to her after we get back." She then turned and left without another look.