With Friends Like These

Beta-ed by Mephibosheth

Chapter 13

"Well, looks like we blew it big time," Lita sighed despondently, twirling her straw in her empty milkshake glass.

Mina returned the sigh, her head in her arms, "Yeah, Serena was right, and we were wrong. And I never thought I'd see the day when that happened." she looked at the white cat who was licking at her uneaten ice cream. "Artemis, do you think she'd forgive us? She forgave Ami."

Artemis just looked at her, his eyes shining, "I don't know Mina. I'd like to think that Serena isn't the type to hold a grudge."

"Do we really have the right to ask forgiveness though?" Lita asked. "We were pretty mean. After all, Serena was the first person to actually be nice to me. She wasn't scared of my bully reputation when I first transferred to Crossroads...and this is how I repay her."

"Yeah, Serena was a really good friend to all of us, and we just…" Mina sighed, "What did we do? I mean, why? I don't understand."

"Me either, Mina. We all liked her just fine one day…and the next day…we were listening to Raye's gripes and agreeing with them." Lita replied, missing the sound of the automatic doors opening not far behind them. "And now, I don't even know why."

But Mina wasn't listening, she was looking over Lita's shoulder, towards the counter. Lita quirked an eyebrow and turned to see what was going on.

"Hey Serena, long time no see," Andrew, the manager of Crown Arcade and Café, greeted with a smile. That smile vanished when he saw the depression clearly written on her face. "What's wrong, is everything okay?"

Quickly, she faked a smile, "Yeah, I'm fine…really…can I get a double chocolate milkshake, a large pizza and an order of chili fries?"

Andrew nodded, "Sure. Hey, Lita and Mina are here too." he gestured towards their usual table. "I bet they'd like to see you too."

Serena looked over at them, fear gracing her despondent face, but she quickly wiped it away, no need for Andrew to know of their falling out, and waved congenially. "Thanks Andrew." she walked, seemingly towards them, but sat at another, just a few tables away from theirs.

A young girl in an apron came over to Lita and Mina's table, blocking their view of Serena, "Can I get you girls anything else tonight?"

Lita looked thoughtful, "Yeah, Lizzie, um, could you..." She motioned for Liz, Andrew's little sister, to lean in so no one but them could hear and whispered her request into Lita's ear.

Serena, as curious as ever, watched them. She needed to be careful, she reasoned, they had used secrets once to hurt her. She couldn't let them do it again. Try as she might, however, she couldn't hear them. All she saw was Lita pointing to her and the waitress nodding in understanding and then, leaving to fill the request.

Approximately fifteen minutes of awkward silence later, Andrew came over with Serena's order. "Hey, Liz told me to tell you that this is on your friends over there." He gestured back at Lita and Mina, who smiled sadly.

Serena looked perplexed. "Thanks…Andrew," she stammered as he arranged the food on the table. She went to pick up a piece of pizza, wondering why they were suddenly being so nice again, and gasped. There, spelled out in pepperoni was the word, SORRY, all in capitals. She felt her lip quivering and tears welling up in her eyes. She was tired. Tired of pretending to be as strong and unmovable as Negaverse was expecting her to be. She just couldn't take it anymore, all of the crap that happened to her in the last few weeks finally came crashing down around her and the next she or Andrew knew, she was sobbing into her hands. Not the usual wailing or whimpering, but sobbing.

Andrew looked around, "Serena…what…what's wrong…?" He did the only thing he could think of and patted her back gently. "Don't cry…"

Lita and Mina looked at each other and stood up. Artemis hung back, knowing they needed to do this on their own first. Without a thought, they walked over. They didn't even need to say anything as they took over for Andrew, wrapping their arms around Serena. Wisely, Andrew took the opportunity to flee. Together, the three girls cried, unsure of what else to do.

After several solid minutes of tears and sobs;

"We're so sorry Serena, really…" Lita told her.

Mina nodded, "Yeah, we were all really, really stupid. You weren't the sorry excuse for a scout, we were. We completely failed in our positions as your guardians and your friends."

Serena looked at them, in their eyes, certain that they meant what they said, "Oh guys." She wrapped an arm around each of them, "I missed you." She hugged them both tight.

AN: Sorry for the delay. So Mina and Lita have forgiven? But have they proven themselves ready to become Sailors again? And what of Raye? What is up with her?