Author's Note: The prompt for this chapter is the following quote from Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand: "Evil is impotent and has no power but that which we let it extort from us."
The nightwatch had been lonely. The skies were clear, and he feared he would not see her tonight. With negotiations at such a delicate phase, it was becoming harder and harder to meet. Zoisite missed Mercury. His dreams were haunted by long legs and deep blue eyes, and skin softer than anything he had ever known.
Curiosity had long given way to something more, something deeper, something that neither dared to name. With the crisis on Earth growing and the ban still in place, it was dangerous enough to acknowledge that they knew each other's name, let alone that they might feel something for one other. They silently accepted that their partings would be longer, and their liaisons briefer, lest they be caught.
That did not abate the loneliness though. Secret messages passed during diplomatic meetings were no substitute for hands held, endearments whispered and lips met. The lingering traces of perfume on uniforms were no substitute for a head of silky hair nestled gently upon the heart.
So it came as a surprised when he sensed her. He hastily moved to pre-empt the alarms and set off in search of her. A smile found its way to his lips as he realized where she had entered from. With no fog to ease her passage, she had come through the more direct manifestation of her element; the Royal Bath. Zoisite had to simply marvel at her ingenuity. It only deepened her hold on his imagination. Hope unlooked for kindled in his heart as he set off to find her.
He approached the pool and sought her out. She was no where to be found immediately. Zoisite was confused, as he could certainly feel her presence. Then, as though he were in a dream, he watched as she emerged gracefully from the water. Water dripped enticingly down her bare skin, and he watched each drop hungrily.
Mercury was usually so demure and proper, but tonight, there was a seductive smirk on her lips, and smoldering flame in her eyes. He wanted to drink in all of her curves, but her eyes had captured him and would not let him go, and he did not know if he wanted to ever look away. He didn't even notice her drawing closer until the wave hit him.
That managed to snap him out of his stupor. The first thing he was aware of was her laughter. After so long apart, it was the most beautiful thing he had ever heard. Still, it was a challenge, and he was not about to lose. He quickly shed his uniform and dove in after her.
This was her element, and she moved effortlessly. Still, Zoisite had determination on his side. The chase was thrilling, but catching her was even more exciting. They emerged from the water with his arm around her shoulders, pressing her back into him. She playfully struggled, even though she had no intention of escaping.
"I've got you," he whispered into her ear.
"So it would seem," she said between giggles. The laughter gave way to sighs as his lips found her ear, and traced a line down to the delicate spot where her neck met her shoulders. Her eyes fluttered closed as her hand reached for the back of his head. Her fingers dug themselves into his hair.
"Are your intentions honorable General?" she gasped.
"No."
Her other hand came to meet his just over her heart as their fingers interlaced.
"Good."
"Is this truly how it ends?"
"Yes."
Zoisite approached the pool with trepidation. Some memories were pleasant. Some were not. But for him, all of them had power. As much as he remembered the feeling of Mercury's body against his, he also remembered the knife, and the wave that consumed him. He remembered the mysterious red headed woman who stole his soul and told him to jump off the bridge. And he remembered Ami pulling him from the river, crying that she had almost lost him.
These were not the things he wanted to remember anymore. He felt so much that he thought it would consume him. Beryl had taken so much from him. His innocence was gone, and could never be reclaimed. No matter how much Ami and the Senshi forgave him, it could not undo the damage done, the lives lost, the dreams shattered.
It was this guilt that had put him into the depression he had sunk into since his revival. He awoke unable to feel anything. As time passed, he found he could feel everything, whether he wanted to or not.
He was paralyzed, a slave to his memories and his guilt. Beryl and Metallia may have been long gone, but for Zoisite, the shackles remained.
Soft hands worked their way around his chest, and he felt a head of silky hair rest just between his shoulder blades.
"Are you ready?"
He finds her hands and holds them tightly.
"I want to be."
Her hands move as she comes to stand before him. Any other man would have greedily drunk in the sight of her perfect form, but Zoisite can not look away from her eyes. They are what anchors him to this world and keep him sane when his chaotic memories threaten to overwhelm him. Tenderly, she caresses his check.
"I'm sorry that she did this to you. But I know how afraid you must be."
She pulls him close and wraps her arms around him. "When I first got my powers, I was excited. I finally felt as though being different wasn't so bad. And I found a friend in Usagi."
He feels her grip on him tighten. "But then the youma we fought became so much more powerful, and the enemies so terrifying, I didn't know if I had the courage to go on."
For a moment, Zoisite forgets all of his pain and focuses solely on holding the woman in her arms and chasing away all the monsters.
"I remember something I read in a book once. 'Evil is impotent and has no power but that which we let it extort from us.'"
She releases him and takes his face in her hands.
"We're different Zoisite. We have power, and it's up to us to keep Earth safe. We can't give in to our fears. We have to be strong and do what's right. Everyone is counting on us."
He takes her hands and brings them to his lips. He kisses them and holds them against his brow, as though taking strength from them.
"Are you ready?" she asks.
He nods, so she takes his hand and leads him into the water. Her hands, and her eyes, never leave his. When they are waist deep in the pool, she squeezes his hands and gives him a nod. As one, they sink into the water and sit on the floor. Zoisite steels himself and keeps his eyes open. He still remembers water overwhelming him and filling his lungs, but right now, he focuses on the image of Ami sitting across from him. Under the water, she is the mermaid from his dreams. He lets the sensation of her hands in his strengthen him. They stay under for a minute before re-emerging. The rush of air into his lungs is welcome. Even more welcome is Ami holding him.
"I've got you."
In the end, that's all he hopes for. It gives him the courage to move forward.
