Rei's grandfather stared at Darien intensely. No one had informed him that the father of Serena's child was returning and he was amazed to see all three of them talking in the kitchen. He didn't know what they were talking about when he entered and he really didn't care. They had all gone silent as soon as he entered the room. Darien had immediately stood from his seat and introduced himself as Serena's boyfriend.

"So you're the father," Rei's grandfather stated as he looked Darien over. "Serena tells me that you were gone because of business. Listen, I understand you wanting to make sure you can financially support Serena and the baby, but right now you need to stay here with her. She's going to need your support more than anything right now." Darien smiled at the older man's concern for Serena. It was clear that she was well cared for during his absence.

"Don't worry Mr. Hino I won't be going anywhere," Darien responded warmly. "Thank you though for taking care of her."

"That reminds me," Rei said gaining everyone's attention. "Is it okay if Darien stays with us for a while as well?"

"Doesn't Darien have his own place?" her grandfather questioned.

"I was supposed to be gone a lot longer so I leased my place out to a couple. I have to wait until the lease is up before I can move back in," Darien quickly explained. Rei's grandfather thought it over for a moment.

"I don't see why not. Naturally you can stay in Serena's room. I'm sure would rather have you in there with her. No point separating you two now." He chuckled at his comment then left the kitchen to do more work around the temple.

"All right I'll phone everyone and let them know that everything is fine here and we can start training tomorrow," Rei said before leaving the kitchen as well. Serena smiled at Darien and offered to show him where their room was.

The training was tough, but the girls knew it had to be done. Luna and Artemis spared no mercy as the Scouts sparred with one another. It was no surprise that Serena's ankle healed quickly with being a Scout and all. Within a few days she was completely healed and ready to fight once more. All the girls showed great improvement in their skills and even Darien participated in the rigorous training. The girls couldn't believe how much more powerful they were becoming. They had all even discovered new even more powerful attacks they never knew they had.

"Wow Serena," Mina exclaimed as they all flopped on the shrine's steps, "where in the world did you get that scepter?"

"What about Rei's mandala?" Serena countered. "It's like we all suddenly turned a page in our powers."

"Apparently," Darien acknowledged as he placed his hand on Serena's stomach to make sure the baby wasn't harmed during their training today. "Amazing how the training isn't causing any stress on the baby."

"We think the crystal is protecting her," Luna informed. "It's the only logical idea that makes any sense since in all reality the baby shouldn't be surviving the harsh training."

"So how much more training do you think we need before we go against Beryl?" Lita inquired.

"Not much more," Artemis answered. "Luna and I were talking and decided that once you all have mastered your new attacks you should be ready."

"With the rate we're training we should be ready by the end of the week," Ami stated as she typed away on her mini computer.

"Oh my God!" Rei exclaimed as she looked at her wristwatch. "Serena you have to be at the hospital in thirty minutes!"

"Can't believe we forgot," Darien said quickly as he got up to get his keys.

"Thanks for reminding us Rei," Serena thanks as she brushed herself off. "You told mom right?"

"Yeah I told her a few days ago. She said she'll meet you two at the hospital. She's excited to see Darien."

"Come on Serena," Darien said as he walked past her to the car. Serena followed after Darien and the two were off to the hospital. When they arrived the two found Serena's mother was already waiting for them in the waiting room.

"Hey mom," Serena greeted.

"Serena," Ilene greeted back warmly as she got up to hug her daughter. "So you must be Darien. I remember you from the hot springs resort."

"It's a pleasure seeing you again Mrs. Tsukino. I wish it was under better conditions."

"Serena, I'm ready to see you now," Dr. Mizuno said suddenly. The three of them turned and followed Dr. Mizuno to the examining room. "Serena, go ahead and lay down right here and I'll get the machine going." Serena complied as Darien and Ilene sad down. "So you're the father huh?" Darien blushed at the blunt question.

"Yes doctor. I assume you have already been informed about everything?"

"Serena explained everything during her first visit. I'm glad to see you're back on the good side again."

"Me too," Ilene added warmly. Suddenly a strange noise was heard from the machine.

"What's that noise?" Serena questioned.

"That's the baby's heartbeat," Dr. Mizuno informed happily. Darien's eyes sparkled as he looked at the screen. This made it all real for him. Serena really was carrying his child. That was his child's heartbeat he was listening to. "Now Serena it's still too early to tell what the sex is. That is still some weeks away, but so far the baby looks to be completely healthy."

"Don't worry Dr. Mizuno we already know it's going to be a girl," Serena stated lovingly. "For some reason, that I don't know, girls are always born first for Lunarians. I know that men always decide the sex of the baby, but that rule does not apply for Lunarians."

"Oh okay then. I'm shocked that the training you are doing isn't affecting the baby at all though."

"Training?" Ilene looked at her daughter with concern written all over her face. "You are still training even though you are pregnant?"

"I have no choice mom," Serena tried to explain. "I have to training or the Negaverse could take over this planet. Don't worry because my crystal is protecting the baby. Remember that each of my Scouts is also a princess and each of our own planet's crystal protects us. That is how we transform. I have a feeling that since we are all women that our crystals protect us when we are pregnant in battle."

"So when Ami is married and pregnant and in that order," Serena and Darien both looked down in embarrassment at Dr. Mizuno statement, "her Mercury crystal will protect her if she is still fighting." Serena nodded her head in yes. "Well that does make me feel better about the potential future of becoming a grandmother."

"So Darien, are you excited to become a father?" Ilene asked happily.

"More then you know," Darien responded equally as happy.

"Serena I believe it's time your father met Darien." Darien instantly went tense at the thought of meeting Serena's father. "I have done a lot of talking with him and he is behaving a lot better about everything now. I think not having you with us has really knocked some sense into him and I know he misses you terribly."

"Do you really think dad is ready for another try?" Serena asked unsure.

"I have no problems waiting a few more weeks or years even," Darien added nervously. Sure he may be prince of the Earth and fought many youma, but nothing compared to Serena's father.

"Don't worry Darien," Ilene said trying t comfort him. "Ken will be fine. Besides, it is his right to know who the father of the child his child is carrying."

"You're right," Darien sighed. "I do owe it to him for knocking up his daughter."

"Darien!" Serena exclaimed unhappily. "It wasn't like you were trying to get me pregnant. For goodness sakes I was pregnant with your child back during the Silver Millennium. It's clear that I'm supposed to give you a child."

"Well I'm done with everything Serena," Dr. Mizuno said as she began to put stuff away and pulled out Serena's chart. "I'll see you in a few weeks to check up on how a baby is developing."

"All right doctor," Serena said as pulled her shirt down and got off the chair. "Might as well get dad over and done with I guess." Darien groaned and looked at Serena with concern. Serena stared at him for a moment then began to giggle. "Big bad ass Tuxedo Mask is scared of my daddy."

"Hey no man looks forward to meeting the father of their pregnant teenage girlfriend," Darien tried to defend. "Does he own any guns?" Both Serena and her mother began to laugh.

"Just a shot gun dear," Ilene answered casually. "Don't worry though because I took the shells out this morning just encase I got you two come over."

"Well at least I know I won't die by being shot with a shot gun," Darien said in defeat and followed the Tsukino women out of the hospital. The drive to Serena's parent's house took forever for Darien. It almost felt like he was driving to his doom.

"Darien calm down," Serena said in an amused voice. "You've fought youmas, Negaverse generals, and even died already a thousand years ago and you're scared of my dad?"

"Serena a thousand years ago your father was dead before I came into your life, but I didn't get so lucky with you this time around. Of course, also, destiny has to make up for my luck by giving you the father you have now. You being pregnant doesn't help either."

"Well grow a pair because you're going to have to face him," Serena said as they pulled up to her parent's house. They got out and followed Ilene into the house.

"So how did Serena's check go?" a male's voice called out from the kitchen. "I assume she's taking good care of our grandchild!"

"Told you he was behaving better," Ilene said quickly to Serena before responding to her husband. "Why don't you come ask her yourself honey?"

"What?" Ken asked as he emerged from the kitchen. "Serena?"

"Hi daddy," Serena greeted shyly. Ken smiled and went to hug his daughter.

"I've missed you sweetie."

"I've missed you too daddy."

"Ken, honey, this is Darien," Ilene introduced. For the first time Ken realized there was a man with them. His eyes instantly turned cold as steel.

"So you're the one who violated my daughter."

"I'm Darien Shields and yes I am Serena's boyfriend and father of the child she is carrying." For a moment Serena was shocked at how Darien suddenly became so cool and confident when moments ago he was freaking out in the car. She quickly realized that it was his prince self coming through. "I am sorry we had to meet under their circumstances sir. I assure you I had no intensions of getting your daughter pregnant, but I do love her and will take good care of both her and our baby."

"I see," Ken said as he stared Darien down. "You sound and talk like a man, but are you responsible like a man? What do you do for work?"

"I am currently a college student studying to become a doctor."

"So you don't have a job then?"

"No time for a job. My classes take up too much of my time."

"So then I assume your parents support you."

"No sir. My parents died when I was six. I lived in an orphanage until I turned eighteen a year ago. Apparently my parents owned a few companies that are right now being run by the board members. Though I became the owner at eighteen I let them run it since I know nothing about running a business. I own my own apartment as well."

"Oh so you're that Shields," Ken stated as he thought about the information he was just given. "If you own your own businesses why are you studying to be a doctor?"

"Well I plan to first get my M.D. then go back to college to get another degree in business. When the time comes I'm going to sell my companies and buy a hospital."

"I see," Ken said and turned to face his daughter. "Serena I still don't like my teenage daughter being pregnant, but at least your Prince has a very good future. I must say Darien that you being our planet's prince really gives me hope for the future."

"So you're okay with everything daddy?"Serena asked timidly.

"Like I said before, I'm still not happy with it, but I am glad that the best possible scenario has come from it." Ken paused and turned towards Darien and stuck out his hand.

"Good to have you in the family son." Darien smiled and shook Ken's hand.

"Happy to be here sir."

"Call me Ken."

"So you're my sister's boyfriend huh?" Sammy said as he came down the stairs. Everyone turned their attention to him. "Are you really prince of this planet?"

"Yes I am," Darien answered.

"Are you going to be marrying her?" Darien turned to Serena and smiled.

"Eventually I will, but I plan to wait until she finishes high school. I want her to focus on school before she starts focusing on a wedding."

"Glad to hear that," Ken said before turning to go back in the kitchen. "Come on Darien I make you a drink." Darien happily followed.

"Well that went better than I thought," Ilene said.

"Thank goodness," Serena responded.

"Why don't you two stay for dinner? It'll give your father and Darien more time to talk."

"Sure mom." Serena was so happy to know that her family was going to be okay. Darien was back and now all she had to focus on was defeating Queen Beryl and the Negaverse. Hopefully it wouldn't be too hard and they all would be able to return home in one piece.

As the week went on the Scout grew more and more powerful. The Negaverse was still sending youmas to Earth to gather energy, but for once the Scouts didn't mind. It gave them all a chance to test out their new powers and refine their skills. During this whole time Luna and Artemis were busy looking for a way to get to Queen Beryl. Eventually they found a portal in an ally way where the Negaverse had been able to get through to our universe.

"So this is where the Negaverse got into our world," Venus stated as she looked over the portal.

"I'm surprised my scans have never picked it up," Mercury said as she typed away on her mini computer. "It must be because it's located in such a bad area of town."

"No way it's that easy to get in you guys," Mars said.

"Guess there is only one way to find out," Jupiter said trying to bring confidents to her fellow Scouts.

"Let's do it," Luna said before they all started jumping into the portal. The first thing they all noticed was that there were many tunnels they could follow. Mercury quickly whipped out her mini computer, but discovered that it didn't work.

"My computer is no good here," Mercury informed solemnly.

"There are so many tunnels," Artemis stated as he looked around. "We better split up."

"You sure that's a good idea?" Luna questioned unsure.

"Relax Luna," Artemis said confidently. "The Scouts will be fine?" Luna took one last look at Sailor Moon before following Artemis through one of the tunnels.

"Let's check this one out okay?" Venus suggested as she pointed to one of the tunnels. They all agree and began walking through the tunnel. After a few minutes of walking Venus suddenly stops. "Hold it Scouts! Something's in here. Something cold." Without warning a bright light flashes in the tunnel ahead of them then fades to reveal Malachite smirking mischievously.

"Welcome Sailor Scouts and Prince Darien."