Music Selections:
Daughter of the Moon - Adriana Figueroa

One Month
What If?
Alternate Story Line

October 30

***Usagi(Sailor Moon)'s POV***

It had already been a long day. During school Usagi had been happy, even though Haruna-sensei was still absent. She and her new mate and co-mate would be leaving on their trip that evening. She was very excited and wanted them to have a great time. Then they had hurried home so they could do their patrols and her parents had loaded all of them into the car and driven into the shopping district, where they were shown their new home.

It was four stories, an old YWCA building that had dorm rooms as well as little apartments. Not only that, but the place had a gym and pool, plenty of common areas, including old classrooms, and two storefronts on the property. Mamoru and the Shitennou were already discussing reopening the old dojo to give lessons on self-defense and martial arts. Ami's mother was incredibly happy about the little clinic and Rei and Jadeite had already started discussing turning one of the smaller rooms into a place for meditation and to hold the spark of the Great Fire.

Usagi herself was excited as well as she and Mamoru entered the room that would be theirs. It was one large main room with a private bathroom and two bedrooms. It was very similar to other apartments in the building. It was more dorm than apartment, but their meals could all be eaten together in the large dining room on the first floor. Usagi was thrilled with having her own private space however. It was something she'd never really had before, apart from her bedroom.

"Look in here," Ikuko said, dragging her into one of the rooms. "I know this is the bigger bedroom, but babies need a lot of things. Crib, changing table, portable swing, and so much more. What do you think?"

"It's perfect Mama," Usagi said, hugging her tightly. "How did you guys find this place?"

"We have connections," Ikuko said mysteriously. She laughed. "It will take a little while for us to move everything in, but I think within a couple weeks we will be living here full time. And your father has plans to let a family stay in our house instead of selling it. Maybe we can do just a little more to help the people of Tokyo."

"That's wonderful," Usagi said, spinning around in delight. "Oh, look at the little window seat," she gushed. "We can make a pad and put it down here, maybe with a few pillows and make this into a reading nook."

"My thoughts exactly. I know it isn't a full apartment like what your father and I have downstairs, but I figure it will give you enough privacy to begin. You and Mamoru need that."

"We do," Usagi murmured, still staring out the window. Her attention had been caught by what looked like a falling star. It was still light outside and Usagi wondered how many other people were staring at it. Did they feel as apprehensive as she did?

"What is it?" Ikuko asked, catching her changed mood.

"I don't know." Usagi turned to her mother. "I think maybe I should send someone over to check out that falling star." She pressed the button on her communicator. Luna and Artemis were in the command center so they might already be aware of it.

"Hey Usagi," Luna said. "Don't worry, Minako and Kunzite took Asahi and Heliodor out to look at the meteorite."

"Thanks Luna," Usagi breathed. "Let me know what they find."

"I will."

Usagi ended the communication and turned back to her mother. "Where did dad and Mamoru go?" she asked.

Ikuko laughed. "As if I knew."

***Mamoru (Tuxedo Kamen)'s POV***

Mamoru settled onto the edge of the low wall that divided the two halves of the dojo. He and Kenji had wandered in to take a look after the others split up to find rooms they liked. Now, looking around at everything his new father-in-law had accomplished in a few short days, he was impressed.

"I need to talk to you about something," Kenji said, sitting next to him.

"What is it?"

"When we were in Elysion, Yume said something to me about the daughter Usagi will be carrying next. It didn't really sink in at the time, but I can't stop thinking about it now."

"What?" Mamoru asked. "You mean that their son will marry one of our daughters?" Mamoru asked.

"Well, partly, but there was something else he said that really made it a shock."

"What do you mean?" Mamoru asked, worried now.

"The daughter their son is waiting for will be born less than nine months after Tentomushi. Less than ten months. That means Usagi will get pregnant again right away. It sounded as though it was set in stone. That this daughter was supposed to have been born first, but because of the changes to the timeline, she wasn't conceived in the right order."

Mamoru frowned. He hadn't been told any of that. If it was true, it meant that Usagi would probably have a very dangerous pregnancy the second time around. He was about to comment on that when his communicator beeped.

"What is it Kunzite?" he asked.

"I don't know. Luna and Artemis sent us out to find this meteorite, but there is nothing here except an empty crater."

"Have you called and let them know?"

"Yes. Apparently Artemis is coming over with Ami and Zo, but I wanted to let you know."

"Arigato," Mamoru murmured. "Do you think Usagi and I should come as well?"

"No. Ami will document everything. Right now I'm more worried about where whatever landed went. Minako and I are taking the kids on patrol with us."

"Great idea," Mamoru said. "Thank you for letting me know." The communicator went dark and Mamoru looked over at Kenji, who was already typing rapidly into his cell phone. "I guess that means you need to get to work," he said.

"It does. I'll meet you back at the house for dinner though." Kenji hurried out of the room.

Mamoru sighed and looked around one more time before making his way into the main part of the house. He followed a long hallway past the clinic and into the common areas of the house. He could hardly believe it had once been a YMCA. The place was massive, but had a homey feel.

When Mamoru entered the kitchen he found Makoto spinning circles and laughing as she touched the brand new industrial sized stove, then the massive refrigerator. "I can do anything in this kitchen," she laughed. "This is perfect."

Nephrite, who was leaning against the counter with his arms crossed over his chest, smiled at her. "Remember you have to share this kitchen," he said, his voice low.

Makoto nodded. "Yeah, but Ikuko and I will rule it together. The others can just borrow it. Well, if they promise to put it back the way we want it."

Mamoru couldn't help laughing. He heard footsteps on the stairs and hurried out to meet Usagi and her mother, who were on their way down. "This place is incredible," he said by way of greeting. Then he caught Usagi, who had tripped on the last step.

"It's home," Usagi murmured.

Mamoru bent and kissed her. It was home, so long as she was in it.

***Ronnie (Pegasia Warrior)'s POV***

Ronnie sat alone in what would soon be her room. It was a single room with a massive closet and a private bathroom. There were several other apartment-like dorms on the lower floors, but she had seen the room and thought it was perfect. It was on the fourth floor, which would give her some privacy, and it had an incredible view of the Tokyo skyline. Plus, the bathroom had been fitted with an angled window that let in tons of light.

It suited her.

Still, Ronnie was lonely, and a bit afraid. She knew James would never give up. He was insane. She could never underestimate him.

There was a knock at the door and she hurried to open it. Haruka stood on the other side, grinning. "Hi," she said, feeling a little nervous around the other warrior still.

"Hi," Haruka said brightly. "Makoto and I wanted to see you. Come downstairs with me." Instead of waiting for a reply, Haruka reached into the room and tugged Ronnie out.

"What's going on?" she asked, but Haruka only smiled. Ronnie huffed a heavy sigh and continued following her until they had reached the dojo. "Seriously, what is it?" she asked, seeing Makoto waiting inside.

"We've decided to train you," Makoto answered. "Right now you are feeling vulnerable. And that's okay. It will keep you on your toes. You've learned about your powers, but Haruka and I are going to teach you how to defend yourself without them."

"Also," Haruka added, "we had Luna cook something up for you. Usagi already used her disguise pen on you, but we thought you might want this." She held out a tiny bronze pin in the shape of an eight-sided star. "This works just like the disguise pen. You just need to be careful of your wording. For instance, you could ask it to keep you disguised from James and anyone who would ever tell him who you really are, or something along those lines. Talk to Usagi about it. She's gotten very good."

"This is for me?" Ronnie asked, holding the little star in the palm of her hand. "You guys did all of this for me?"

"Of course," Makoto said. "You're one of us. And I would hate for you to feel alone while your parents are gone. Besides, the last thing we want is for that jerk to ever find you again."

Ronnie nodded, tears trying to fall, but she sniffled and swiped at her eyes, not wanting to cry. "Thank you."

"Absolutely," Makoto grinned. "The others are all heading back to the Tsukino's house, but we wanted to stay with you and give you your first lesson."

Haruka stepped into the middle of the floor. "She's right. By the time we head back, you will know how to incapacitate someone long enough for you to run. And don't forget, as soon as you are hidden from view, you can always teleport."

"I've never done that on my own," Ronnie argued. "I would get lost."

"We'll teach you that too," Makoto promised. "One thing at a time."